By Roger Knox - Vernon Morning Star Published: September 30, 2008
Vernon RCMP are dipping into the reservist constable program to help with traffic enforcement. Insp. Steve McVarnock told local media Monday the detachment has lined up an RCMP reservist constable from Kelowna who has a traffic enforcement background to help start enhancement of Vernon’s traffic enforcement. A reservist is a retired police officer hired by the province to provide help to detachments. They get full police powers, the only difference is they are just paid for the hours they work, and there is a limit on their duties. McVarnock said the addition of the reservist – plus the fact he has a line on another reservist, also with a traffic background, who just moved to Vernon from Alberta – will help with the detachment’s workload. “We totally support the enhancement of traffic enforcement,” said McVarnock, who explained that his detachment assigns a constable position on each of its four watches to traffic duties. But, because of workload, that member is also responding to other calls for service. “Their ability to do uninterrupted traffic enforcement is very limited,” said McVarnock. “It’s tough to do on a regular basis because of our workload.” The change comes as a response to City of Vernon Coun. Jack Gilroy’s plan to bring a motion to council at its Oct. 14 regular meeting, calling for more traffic enforcement in Vernon. “We need more enforcement on the street. It’s just carnage out there,” said Gilroy. “We have huge, major accidents because of speed, because people are running red lights or stop signs. “The only way people are going to stop is by enforcement.” Gilroy’s plan has the complete blessing of Vernon’s top officer. “We totally support this motion,” said McVarnock, adding that police will be looking to target speeding, drinking drivers and those who do not wear seatbelts as part of the enhanced enforcement.
3 comments:
Looks like double dipping to me. These guys already receiving a great pension-why not let the position be taken by a young person-what is the rate per hour?
Gilroy is surprised that traffic is getting bad and aggressive when the City closes major arteries all at the same time and does nothing to relieve the congestion. Does this guy ever think before opening his mouth?
Not to appear critical because I admire what our police officers do for us. But, one minute we hear that crime is going down, the next week it's going up. It seems like a little bit of media spin.
I'm just a simple little tax payer, but, if people are dying on our roadways, should'nt there have been a bigger priority to enforce traffic laws before the Mayor and council raised the issue with the head of the police detachment.
Two more people were seriously hurt this week. I drive for a living and I want a safe roadway so that I can come home to my family after work. I don't blame the police officers because I know many of them and, they're only doing what they're told by their bosses. Where's the accountability with Mr McVARNOCK's decisions.
I want my tax dollars spent on saving lives versus running up and down the beach on an ATV. I once read an article in the Province where several millions of dollars worth of drugs and guns are taken away from criminals all the time in traffic stops. I have to question why Mr McVARNOCK now decided that they're going to do greater traffic enforcement. Mr McVARNOCK seems more worried about looking good and pleasing his political masters than protecting us, that is, until he's told to by council.
This next election, I will vote for anyone who brings in greater accountability of all publicly funded services,including the administration of the police department.
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