Operation Red Nose (ORN) is gearing up for the 2010 campaign in Cochrane.
The campaign will offer safe rides home to partygoers from Nov. 26 to Dec. 31.
“It’s great to see that from one year to the next we continue to behave more responsibly with regards to impaired driving while enjoying the fun that comes with the holiday season,” said Jean-Marie De Koninck, founding president of Operation Red Nose.
In 2009, more than 1,040 dedicated volunteers provided more than 1,325 rides throughout Alberta. De Koninck said new volunteers are always needed and welcome.
“Operation Red Nose raises awareness about the need for party goers to make plans to get home safely if they have been drinking,” said Doug Noble, Alberta vice president of the Insurance Bureau of Canada, a sponsor of Operation Red Nose.
“IBC commends the many volunteers and local host organizations for their dedication to keeping our roads safe for all who use them. We are proud to play a role in helping to keep our communities safe at this busy time of the year.”
To download a volunteer application form, visit www.operationrednose.com
A truck driver escaped from his burning truck near Springbank on Nov. 24 after unsuccessfully trying to extinguish a fire inside the cab of the vehicle.
The rig caught fire about 8:50 a.m. on the TransCanada Highway just west of Springbank.
The driver was not injured.
It is believed the cause of the fire was electrical.
Traffic was stopped on the TransCanada Highway eastbound while fire crews put out the blaze.
At around 2 a.m. on Nov. 23, the Chestermere RCMP received a complaint from a resident that they were woken up by the sounds of a pellet striking and breaking an outside bedroom window.
Members of the Chestermere RCMP responded to the Rainbow Road and Springmere Way area and located 18-year-old and 17-year-old males in the area.
The suspects were found carrying a baseball bat and a pellet rifle.
The teens were arrested and later released to the custody of a parent.
The pellet rifle and baseball bat were seized.
Mischief charges are pending against the suspects.
Chestermere RCMP is asking anyone to report similar property damage.
Over the past six weeks, there have been three residential break and enters in Chestermere, according to RCMP.
“These break and enters involved residences that are not occupied for the day or in some cases when the residents are away longer,” said Staff Sgt. Glenn Henry.
“Forced entry has usually been through a window or a back door. Items such as televisions and laptop computers have been stolen.”
Police remind local residents to be aware of suspicious individuals and to contact their local RCMP detachment if they suspect or witness a crime in progress, said Henry.
“Getting to know your neighbours and sharing information when they may be away for extended periods is always encouraged,” he said.
Chestermere RCMP welcomes its newest officer Cpl. Shane Fletcher.
He has moved to the Chestermere area with his family from Surrey, British Columbia.
Fletcher has been posted to different detachments in B.C. including Campbell River and Surrey giving him some varied experiences along the way.
Staff Sgt. Henry said Fletcher has a formal “officer safety instructor” background that will assist both locally and regionally to keep members updated on mandatory training such as firearm qualifications and use of force training.
“Shane takes over the position formally held by Cpl. Dave Friend,” said Henry.
“He will be, in part, responsible for day to day supervision of the 13 constables now working out of the Chestermere detachment. We are pleased to have him here and are impressed with the dedication to duty that he has already displayed.”
If anyone has information on any unsolved crime, contact your local RCMP or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.anonymous.
