The Sea to Sky RCMP is looking for the public’s input on its three-year strategic policing plan, according to a release.
Feedback will be gathered through an online survey, which closes Friday, March 12.
“As we are unable to conduct in-person consultation due to the pandemic, we developed an online alternative in order to continue engagement and consultation while maintaining safety,” said acting Insp. Gareth Bradley in the release. “The goal is to receive input from all communities within [the] Sea to Sky as well as a variety of agencies and stakeholders that have a part to play in public safety. This online tool will be among the first steps towards constructing the 2022-2024 Sea to Sky RCMP Strategic Plan.”
The survey is available at here.
Driver arrested on outstanding warrant linked to truck theft
A man was arrested on an outstanding warrant in Pemberton last week connected to the theft of a pickup truck, police said in a release.
At about 10:30 a.m. on March 3, Pemberton RCMP conducted a routine traffic stop near Aster Street when officers learned that the driver had an unendorsed warrant for fleeing from police and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle stemming from a October incident when the man allegedly fled Mounties in a stolen Ford F-350, police said.
The man was arrested and later released with a promise to appear in court. His licence was suspended and vehicle impounded for seven days, police said.
Squamish woman arrested for shoplifting
A Squamish woman is facing possible theft charges after being arrested last week for allegedly shoplifting from a Whistler grocery store.
In a release, police said they were tipped off to the theft on March 3, when the woman had reportedly concealed several items in her bag before leaving the store without paying. Staff were able to provide a licence plate number for the suspect's vehicle, as well as security footage. Police later tracked down the vehicle, and "despite the attempt by the passenger to duck under the dash," police spotted the suspect and stopped the vehicle.
The 19-year-old woman was arrested for theft and subsequently released with a future court date.
RCMP rescues stranded skiers via snowmobile
A pair of stranded skiers have an RCMP member—and his snowmobile—to thank for getting them out of the Whistler backcountry safely last month, according to the local detachment.
At about 2 p.m. on Feb. 17, Whistler RCMP received a call from a couple stranded in the area of Cheakamus Lake. The pair had skied down from Peak Chair and ended up in the area of Cake Hole, police said. Uninjured and prepared for the elements, the couple managed to make it to the Cheakamus Lake trailhead. Mounties responded on snowmobile, and linked up with the skiers approximately seven kilometres down a forest service road before transporting them back to safety.
“Whistler RCMP respond to stranded skiers and snowboarders regularly in this area, as it is a common occurrence. That being said, not everyone is fortunate enough to get an RCMP snowmobile ride out,” police said in a statement.
With four machines available, the Whistler RCMP will typically use snowmobiles to assist with stranded or lost individuals in accessible areas of the backcountry, as well as to respond to avalanches and to conduct safety patrols in the Brandywine, Rutherford and Hurley areas.
Local RCMP members typical undergo four days of snowmobile training, which includes avalanche skills traning, as well as basic snowmobile maintenance and manoeuvring.
“A skill that members practice the most during the course is how to dig out their snowmobile when they are stuck,” wrote Cst. Dylan Rinke in an email.
This story has been updated since publication.
