BEWARE...AND DON'T GET SCAMMED!
There are many known scams, and new ones are invented every day.  The Winkler Police Service encourages you to visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre website for a list and description of common scams.  Another excellent online resource on internet safety is the Get Cyber Safe website.

The Winkler Police Service encourages you to protect yourself from fraud by considering the following:

• Beware of deals or opportunities that seem too good to be true.
• Never provide your credit card number to an unknown source.
• Do not give out any personal information to someone you do not know.
• Never send money to a stranger using a money transfer service to pay for things like online auction purchases or taxes/fees on foreign lottery winnings.

CHANGES TO TRAFFIC COLLISION REPORTING
Effective October 10, 2011, motorists will no longer be required to make a police report for collisions involving property damage only.

Only collisions involving the following must be reported to the police:

• Fatality
• Serious Injury (Meaning someone was admitted to hospital)
• Unlicensed Driver or Unregistered Vehicle
• Unidentified Vehicles (i.e. Hit & Run)
• Failure to Obtain Particulars From the Other Party
• Suspected Use of Drugs or Alcohol by the Other Driver

MPI will inform those reporting claims if they are required to report to the police.

A police report must be filed within seven days from when you are made aware that the collision meets the above criteria.  The report must be made in person at our office. Our office hours are Monday through Friday, during the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. You must bring your driver's licence and vehicle registration with you when you come in to make your report. Please be advised that the front office is closed on Statutory Holidays.

Weekly Report from May 7th to 13th, 2012

Total calls for service – 141

Criminal Code – 41
(break, enter and theft, theft, mischief, assault, Trespass by night, impaired driving, sexual assault)

Highway Traffic Act charges – 22

24 hour suspension – 1

Motor Vehicle Accidents – 3

Assists – 38
(other agencies, general public, criminal record checks, etc.)

Lost and Found - 10

By-Laws – 12
(parking, noise)

Other – 14
(alarms, information, suspicious persons, disputes, warrants, 911 hang-ups, etc)

Officers arrested two adult males early Sunday morning (May 14th) following a week which saw the Winkler Police Service take another 24 reports of theft from unlocked vehicles. Culprits were continuously successful in finding wallets and purses left in vehicles overnight.  At 1:39 a.m. Sunday morning, officers were called by a resident of Tower Drive who stated he had just confronted a male who was rummaging through his vehicle. The victim provided a description of the suspect, who simply walked away northbound along the street.  Officers began the search for the suspect when at 1:56 a.m., an officer approaching Durum Crescent observed the interior light on in a truck, and a lone male walking down the driveway, away from the truck.  The male, who was recognized by the officer, was placed under arrest.  Upon being interviewed, the 18 year old male cooperated with the officers and admitted to going through vehicles with another male, using a systematic approach of each walking their own side of the street, so as not to miss an open vehicle as they searched for money to steal.  He took the officers on a tour of vehicles he had gone through, and pointed out the residence where he was confronted by the owner. On this night alone, they walked the streets of Imperial Bay, Willow Drive, 6th Street, Stanley Avenue, Park Street, Tower Drive, Harmony Lane, and finally, Durum Crescent.  The second person implicated, a 28 year old male from Saskatchewan, was said to be staying with the 18 year old, at his parents’ home.  The second male was arrested at that location at 4:46 a.m.   The 18 year old will face charges of Trespassing at Night (x6), Theft Under $5000.00 (x5), Possession of Goods Obtained by Crime and Breaching a Conditional Discharge Order.  The 28 year old, out on bail for numerous mischief charges in Saskatchewan will face charges of Break, Enter and Theft, Possession of Goods Obtained by Crime, Trespassing at night and Breaching an Undertaking.  Both men were transported to the Provincial Remand Centre. 

May 8th
A drug awareness program was conducted for approximately 175 grade 7 & 8 students at the Emerado School.  The presentation was conducted by Cst. Arnie Klassen and his Police Service Dog TIKA.

May 9th
Officers were asked to conduct a well being check on a senior aged 95 years, who could not be reached and hadn’t been heard from for a few days.  The check determined everything was fine.

May 9th
A woman no longer in a relationship with her boyfriend, requested police presence at his home to keep the peace while she attempted to retrieve a T.V. and other electronics purchased for him as Christmas gifts.  The transaction was conducted without a problem, and the woman agreed to return her gift from him.

May 10th
At approximately 11:30 a.m., an off duty officer of the Morden Police Service called to advise he was following a vehicle which was weaving badly on Highway #32 northbound towards Winkler.  Winkler officers stopped the vehicle and determined the elderly resident was driving beyond his restrictions, and therefore unable to see properly.  The man, not being a resident of the area, was enroute to a medical facility and also unfamiliar with the area.  He was given a ride to his appointment by officers, who then contacted a family member to assist in retrieving his vehicle and getting him safely home.  The matter was dealt with alternative to charges.

May 10th
Officers responded to a report of a man pounding on a woman’s door and refusing to leave.  The man advised the officers that he wanted to see his young son, who lived there with the boy’s mother.  The situation was deescalated peacefully with the man realizing he was going about things the wrong way. He was cautioned about the consequences of his actions, and advised to obtain visitation rights through proper channels.  He advised he was frustrated, and stated he would stay away until a legal agreement could be obtained.

May 12th
A resident of a Royal Crescent apartment reported his apartment broken into during the day while he was away.  Stolen was a PS2 play station and memory card.  Several witnesses have been spoken to, with the investigation still ongoing.

May 12th
Shortly after 6:00 p.m., a call was received from a resident of 6th Street advising of extremely loud music coming from the Bethel Heritage Park.  Officers attended to the park where a group of young people were gathered around several vehicles.  The music coming from a vehicle was loud enough to prevent a conversation in normal tones.  The owner of the vehicle initially refused to turn it down stating he didn’t think it was loud.  He was given one more opportunity to comply and then decide it would be better to do so.  The young man was advised of the noise by-law and asked to be more considerate of the other citizens.

May 12th
At about 8:30 p.m., officers received the first of two calls about a male exposing his bare buttocks through an open car window while traveling on Main Street .  The vehicle was located and the suspect spoken to.  It was evident the 22 year old man had been drinking.  It was also learned that he was on probation as well as on bail with conditions to keep the peace and abstain from alcohol.  He was charged with Committing an Indecent Act, Failing to Comply with an Undertaking and Failing to Comply with a Probation Order.  He was held overnight to sober up and released in the morning.

May 13th
Just before 2:00 a.m., officers observed a westbound vehicle on Highway # 14 traveling with the trunk lid partially open and bouncing up and down.  The vehicle then turned southbound onto Highway #32 where it was briefly followed, and noted to be weaving.  Officers activated the emergency lights and stopped the vehicle near Norquay Drive.  The driver had an odor of liquor on his breath, and stated he was at a party where he had responsibly stopped drinking early in order to drive his friends’ home.  Not early enough however; as he produced breathalyzer readings more than twice the legal limit. The 24 year old driver will appear in Morden Court to face charges of impaired driving and driving over .08.

May 13th
Officers received a complaint of assault when a young man with an injury to his mouth stated he had been punched in the mouth.  Further questioning determined that in fact there had been some goading back and forth between occupants of his vehicle and another one while “cruising” Main Street.  When it was explained to the complainant that a complete investigation may in fact end with both sides wanting charges he decided to withdraw his complaint.

The Winkler Police Service would once again like to remind motorists and pedestrians of their responsibilities at crossings.  We have received several inquiries recently regarding this topic.

Vehicle / Pedestrian right of ways
Pedestrians can have the right of way at all specially marked corridors (either lights or painted lines) or at any intersection where a sidewalk continues on the other side of the street, IF the pedestrian stands at the curb, extends an arm to indicate direction of intended crossing and allows ample time for vehicles to stop.  A vehicle that fails to yield the right of way in these situations is liable to fine under the Highway Traffic Act.  Pedestrians who fail to exercise proper notification of intention to cross, or fail to yield to vehicles at locations other than at crosswalks are liable to fines as well.  A pedestrian that walks on a street where a sidewalk is provided is also liable to receive a fine.