I RECENTLY met with staff from bulk haulage and transport company Divalls, at their request, to talk through the issue of road safety.
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The meeting was a real eye-opener – they have some seriously modern systems in their vehicles. They use GPS tracking for their trucks, as well as in-truck videos. In some ways, it resembles what we use in our police vehicles.
The safety briefing left me very confident that we are on the same page in relation to safety.
They value their staff and property, as well as their reputation. If all of us involved with transport felt the same way, it would make a huge difference to our roads.
Last weekend saw the Dragon Dreaming Festival at Wee Jasper, where 3,000 free-spirited people gathered to enjoy alternative culture.
There was a strong police presence at the four-day event, which last year saw the death of a young woman from an overdose. We increased our presence as a result, in order to make sure everyone was safe.
It was a six-day operation involving a number of police units, including the dog squad, highway patrol and general duties officers.
The police officers carried out 120 personal searches and 65 vehicle, with 116 incidents of drugs being detected. There were 42 drug offences resulting in charges, and five charges of supply. In addition, there were 51 positive roadside drug tests.
The event was well-organised but there were still a lot of drugs. We want the community to know that we will target any event with a hint of drug use.
Finally, a warning to be careful if your children are participating in Halloween next Monday night. Small children should not be allowed to wander the neighbourhood alone, no matter how confident you are about your neighbours.
Keep an eye on them near roads, and seek out houses with decorations – many will have a balloon out the front as a signal that they are happy to hand out treats. Then supervise your children as they go to the door.
Until next week...