Mauled mailboxes, traffic troubles, flaring tempers and false 911s

By Geoffrey Agombar

Spectator

NovaNewsNow.com

RCMP responded to a total of 76 calls in the Annapolis County region during the December 29 to January 5 period. Among these were four false alarms, nine false 911 calls, eight motor vehicle accidents, and two domestic incidents.

Close readers of the column may remember that last week's column drew to a close with three separate complaints of damage to mailboxes in Nictaux on Sunday January 4. A number of similar complaints continued to flow in on Monday and Tuesday.

Also notable this week, a relatively high number of false 911 calls was reported. This is a general concern year round, because of the strain this places on a small force covering a large area. However, poor winter driving conditions further increase the risks related to false alarms to both the public and to responding RCMP members. It is perhaps little known that every 911 call requires a response. Furthermore, hang-ups and 'non-response on call back' calls must be treated as grave situations because it is impossible to determine the seriousness of the situation. Often, these calls require response by multiple patrol cars out of concern for any potential victims of an unknown situation, but also to ensure that fellow force members have access to back-up as soon as possible if they find themselves outnumbered or at risk.

You should never program 911 into a quick-dial or cellphone address book. You should never call 91 for false or frivolous reasons.

(Note: Due to the sensitive nature of complaints involving sexual assault, domestic violence, children’s welfare, and mental health, not all calls are considered appropriate for publication.)

Of the 71 calls, the following is a summary of the RCMP’s week’s work:

-- (Reported Jan. 5) Jan. 3 at 11:30 a.m. Nictaux Falls. A motor vehicle accident causing minor damage was reported to have caused no injuries.

-- Jan. 5 at 9:30 a.m. Paradise. A business contacted RCMP to report a significant theft of fuel and tools, valued at more than $5000.

-- Jan. 5 at 10:30 a.m. Highway 201, Centrelea. A two-vehicle motor vehicle accident from the previous day was reported to have caused no injuries. One of the two vehicles was a farm tractor.

-- Jan. 5 at 11:21 a.m. Lawrencetown. An assault between parties known to each other was resolved with police involvement. No injuries were reported.

-- Jan. 5 at 12:41 a.m. Wilmot. Patrols were unable to locate a reported possible impaired driver.

-- Jan. 5 at 4:00 p.m. Wilmot. Members investigated a complaint of a damaged mailbox.

-- Jan. 5 at 4:23 p.m. Wilmot. A nearby resident reported another damaged mailbox. RCMP confirm that the matter is still under investigation and considered to be criminal in nature, not accidental.

-- Jan. 6 at 3:23 at Middleton. Officers arrested one individual for uttering death threats and weapon possession. He/she was held overnight and remanded to court custody the following morning.

-- Jan. 6 at 9:41 a.m. Nictaux. Another complaint of damage to a mailbox.

-- Jan. 6 at 11:43 a.m. Middleton. A complaint of youth looking into a vehicle resulted in patrols contacting and talking with the individual(s) in question.

-- Jan. 6 at 12:31 p.m. Nictaux. Once again, a complaint of damage to a mailbox in the Nictaux-Wilmot area.

-- Jan. 6 at 12:41 p.m. Victoria Vale. A report of a physical disturbance between parties known to each other was resolved with police involvement. No charges were laid.

-- Jan. 6 at 4:23 p.m. A Nictaux resident reported the theft of a purse from a vehicle. A later call confirmed that he/she had managed to recover the purse, however the matter remains under investigation.

-- Jan. 6 at 8:43 p.m. Cornwallis. Responding to a complaint of a disturbance involving multiple parties known to each other, officers opened investigations of three counts of uttering death threats and one count of assault. One male was remanded into police custody and later released.

-- Jan. 6 at 9:29 p.m. Forest Glade. A single-vehicle roll-over due to poor driving conditions was reported to have caused damage but no injuries.

-- Jan. 7 at 12:12 a.m. Deep Brook. A resident called to complain that the windows were smashed in on his/her parked vehicle.

-- Jan. 7 at 11:40 a.m. Bridgetown. Police were called in to check on an individual sleeping in a running vehicle, out of fear of an asphyxiation risk.

-- Jan. 8 at 5:29 a.m. Meadowvale. A single-vehicle accident due to road conditions did not cause injuries to the lone occupant.

-- Jan. 8 at 9:00 a.m. Spa Springs. A two-vehicle accident involved one vehicle backing into another.

-- Jan. 8 at 2:06 p.m. Lawrencetown. A complaint of a stolen bicycle was received. The bike was later located off-property, and the matter remains under investigation.

-- Jan. 8 at 3:44 p.m. Highway 101, Kingston. Annapolis County officers responded to a traffic incident, although on arrival it was found to have occurred on the other side of the Kings County line. The single car had slipped into the ditch causing no injury or damage.

-- Jan. 8 at 9:47 p.m. Annapolis West. The Offender Monitoring System called to lodge a complaint of a missed check-in for an individual wearing an ankle bracelet as part of his/her sentence. Officers found the subject at his/her residence.

-- Jan. 9 at 8:43 a.m. Bridgetown. Members investigated a report of a possible attempted break and enter. No entry was gained and no damage or theft was reported.

? Jan. 9 at 12:30 p.m. Wilmot. A single-vehicle accident due to slippery road conditions was reported to have occurred on December 31.

-- Jan. 9 at 1:00 p.m. Bridgetown. While negotiating a left-hand turn, a vehicle was rear-ended by another, causing damage but no reported injuries.

-- Jan. 9 at 1:44 p.m. Lawrencetown. Officers investigated a break and enter into a public building, resulting in the theft of a quantity of pop and chips.

-- Jan. 9 at 10:23 p.m. Lawrencetown. RCMP attended a residence to deal with a complaint of the unwanted presence. The offending individual refused to leave the premises, and was arrested and held overnight for breaching the peace.

-- Jan. 10 at 1:10 a.m. Patrols responding to an alarm at a commercial property found footprints indicating a trespassing presence, however no evidence of damage or forced entry could be found.

-- Jan. 10 at 1:17 a.m. Middleton. A complaint of a loud party was resolved with police attendance.

-- Jan. 10 at 11:57 a.m. Bridgetown. RCMP investigated a complaint of a party causing a disturbance and mischief involving individuals known to each other was resolved without incident after police involvement.

-- Jan. 10 at 6:04 p.m. Brooklyn. Officers contacted and cautioned the registered owner of a vehicle which was the subject of an erratic driving complaint.

-- Jan. 10 at 7:59 p.m. Torbrook. Members investigated a complaint of mistreatment of an animal after an injured pet was not taken immediately to a veterinarian. RCMP continues to monitor the situation.

-- Jan. 11 at 9:01 a.m. Middleton. A 2003 Arctic Cat ATV was stolen from a shed overnight. The dark green, 400 cc. model had a plough installed and a buddy seat on the back. The matter remains under investigation.

-- Jan. 11 at 3:51 p.m. Middleton. Following up on a complaint, police contacted a resident who had been blowing snow directly into the street to advise him/her that this is not permitted.

-- Jan. 11 at 4:11 p.m. Greywood. Police assisted in mediating a resolution between parties known to each other, with respect to a complaint of a stolen dog. Officers continue to monitor the situation.

-- Jan. 11 at 8:12 p.m. Kejimkujik National Park. A report from Halifax that individuals who had been expected back after a skiing trip in Kejimkujik had not yet arrived home initiated a dispatch of patrols to the park and preliminary investigations with park wardens. Happily, a call-back to the complainant confirmed that the individuals had eventually arrived home late.

Anyone who wants to report a crime, or who has information on crimes, can contact the Annapolis RCMP at 825-2000 in Middleton or 665-4481 in Bridgetown. Information on crimes can also be reported to Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.