The annual emergency services Charity Checkstop returns this Dec. 6 to raise money, food, and Christmas items for the Stettler Food Bank and for Christmas Hampers.
Sgt. Duncan Babchuk, detachment commander of the Stettler RCMP, said the checkstop will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Highway 12 near Wal-Mart. There will be two through lanes and two diversion lanes, so people who want to stop and donate won’t hold up traffic that isn’t stopping.
The RCMP will be joined by Stettler Regional Fire and Rescue, Heartland Victim Services, Stettler EMS, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement, the County of Stettler, Town of Stettler, and Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD).
“People who want to donate are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items, new toys or clothes, or money,” Babchuk said.
Lock it or lose it, or better yet – bring it home
Babchuk said that with the holiday shopping season underway, the number of reports of vehicles being rifled through or being broken into has risen.
“We’ve seen people go and buy something, put it in their car and lock it, only to come back and find it gone,” he said.
While locking vehicle doors deters casual thieves who want a quick and easy grab, determined thieves will break windows or jimmy vehicle locks to get at items, especially expensive items or hard-to-get items.
“Keep purchases out of sight or, better yet, just bring it home,” he suggested.
Impaired Driving initiative takes off on Friday
On Dec. 5, a national impaired driving initiative will get underway, Babchuk warned. Police from the west coast to the east coast will be checking for impaired drivers, trying to keep roads safer during the holiday season.
“This is going to be everywhere,” Babchuk said, not just in Stettler. “There’ll be checkstops, and people should know they’ll not only be in town. You won’t be able to avoid them.”
The check stops will be checking for both alcohol and drug impairments and will be handing out roadside suspensions to those who show signs of impairment and fail roadside sobriety tests.
Babchuk said people who are hosting holiday parties and serving alcohol need to be aware of the sobriety of their guests, ensuring they aren’t serving alcohol to impaired individuals and taking away keys when there’s a concern someone might leave and drive home, drunk.
“People need to make alternate plans besides phoning for a taxi,” Babchuk said, noting that holiday stress on the taxi service sometimes leads to long waits for a ride home.
“You would think that with all the news stories, all the public service announcements, and all the advertising against impaired driving, people would be smarter.”
Babchuk said people shouldn’t be afraid to phone a friend or family if they find themselves needing a ride home.
“If I have a family member or a friend who’s drunk, I don’t care what time it is when they call me,” he said. “It means they have a sober ride.”