CANSO – As concerns about late-night mischief continue to surface here, local RCMP are asking parents to talk to their children about what it means to be a good citizen in their neighbourhood.
The message comes in Guysborough County District RCMP’s August From the Cruiser report, following an Aug. 20 complaint shortly after 4 a.m. on Main St.
Police said they obtained video surveillance and statements after youths were reported banging on the side of a residence and disturbing the occupant. Four young people were interviewed and the investigation remains ongoing.
“The RCMP would also like to remind parents to speak to their kids about being a good citizen in their neighbourhood and not taking part in acts that may be hurtful or disruptive to others,” the report states.
The Journal reported last week on Facebook posts by area residents describing noise and property damage. At the time, Sgt. Natasha Farrell, district commander of the Guysborough County District RCMP, said police were “taking these complaints seriously. A lot of work went into this investigation.”
Farrell also said investigators were working with partner agencies on what she described as a restorative response. Under the Nova Scotia Restorative Justice Program, police can refer young people to a community-based process intended to hold them accountable and address harm outside the conventional prosecution route.
The August report does not provide statistics showing a broader increase in youth-related incidents. It does, however, place the Canso investigation among 143 calls for service handled by Guysborough County District RCMP during the month, with road safety again the largest category shown in the detachment’s public chart.
Other calls fell under crimes against property and persons, assistance to the public, other Criminal Code matters, provincial statutes and other occurrences. Police note that some calls of a sensitive nature are not included.
Ongoing police matters
RCMP are asking for the public’s help identifying the owner of a dark-coloured, four-door Chevrolet pickup truck observed on Antigonish Guysborough Road Aug. 11. Anyone who owns the vehicle, or knows who does, is asked to contact Guysborough District RCMP at 902-533-3801 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip or use the P3 Tips app.
Police also reported charging 60-year-old Hazel Hill resident Brian West with criminal harassment and two counts of uttering threats. The report says West is scheduled to appear in Antigonish Provincial Court Sept. 16 to enter a plea.
RCMP conducted five check stops during August on highways 16, 211 and 7. An Antigonish man also received a 24-hour driving suspension after police received a complaint that he was driving over the shoulder line and almost struck a person in Boylston. His vehicle was towed.
Northeast Nova RCMP Traffic Services was also in Guysborough County during the month, issuing several fines for speeding, failing to obey a stop sign and operating without a valid inspection. Police reminded motorists to keep vehicle registration, insurance and inspection documents up to date.
Drivers warned
With students now back in class, RCMP are warning drivers to expect slower travel around school buses and to exercise particular care around children waiting near roads. Police said officers will be patrolling communities and school zones and issuing fines to motorists who do not obey posted limits.
In school areas where the approaching speed limit is 50 km/h, motorists must slow to 30 km/h when children are present. Where the normal limit is higher than 50 km/h, drivers must reduce their speed to no more than 50 km/h. The rule applies whenever children are present – 24 hours a day, seven days a week, year-round – including when they are on the highway in the school area or outdoors within 30 metres of it.
The penalties listed by RCMP range from $340.21 and two points for travelling up to 15 km/h over the school-zone limit, to $455.21 and three points for 16 to 30 km/h over, and $685.21 and four points for exceeding it by 31 km/h or more.
The same report that urges parents to talk to their children about citizenship also shows Mounties spending much of August among young people and at community events.
Community connections
Constables Tammy Hudak and Dunlop attended the Seamen’s Memorial in Canso, while Hudak took part in the Aug. 1 Emancipation Day flag raising and ceremony. Guysborough County District officers also spent time with preschoolers from Storybrooke and YMCA day care, where children toured a police car and detachment and watched a drone demonstration. Const. Campbell answered questions from children at St. Mary’s Day Camp, where Const. Fidler and detachment assistant MacDonald also visited.
Hudak was also recognized by the Sunnyville community, along with fish plant worker Douglas Byard and others, at a recent event. The report notes that Byard is a member of the local Mothers Against Drunk Driving chapter. Constables Levy and Dunlop attended the Kaila Feltmate Memorial Bicycle Rodeo, while Levy and Safety Bear took part in the Canso Regatta parade.
The detachment’s next community event is a free Touch a Truck gathering Sept. 27, from noon to 4 p.m., at the Guysborough Legion parking lot. Children will be able to look inside police cars, fire trucks, ambulances and other vehicles, take photos and meet the people who operate them.
A sensory sensitivity hour, with no lights or sirens, is scheduled from 2 to 3 p.m.
