Stettler RCMP is focusing on back to school safety during September. Speed limits in school zones must be respected or drivers face substantial fines. The speed limit is 30 km/h in school zones between the hours of 8-9:30 a.m., 11:30-1:30 p.m. and 3-4:30 p.m. on days schools are open.
On Tuesday, Sept. 7, an educational blitz was held in the school zone on Highway 12 during the hours before and after school. Personnel from the police, Alberta Office of Traffic Safety, Stettler Ambulance, Alberta Health & Injury Prevention, and others from the Stettler Traffic Safety Committee worked together to stop drivers and present them with information on the school zone speed limits. Many drivers were given a postcard with original art from students at the Stettler Elementary School with messages from these students who wrote things like “Thanks for keeping us safe”.
COLLISIONS
On Sept. 12 at 9 a.m., police attended a collision along Highway 601 north of Stettler, where a pickup truck had struck some cattle being herded from one pasture to another. Several cattle were killed and the truck sustained considerable damage. The driver suffered only minor injuries and did not seek medical attention. Later in the day, at 10 p.m., a vehicle travelling on a gravel County of Stettler road struck a calf, killing it.
INJURY
On Sept 13 at 1:50 p.m., police responded to a location in Red Willow, northeast of Stettler, to assist an injured person. A man was injured when some personal equipment malfunctioned and struck him in the face. Stettler Fire and EMS responded to assist. STARS air ambulance landed on Highway 56 and transported the man for medical attention. The matter is no longer under investigation.
BREAK AND ENTER
On Sept. 11 at 6:30 a.m., the Stettler Golf & Country Club, situated in the Town of Stettler, was broken into. Entry was gained by forcing a door and alcohol was stolen. On Sept. 12 at 5 a.m., the club house was broken into again and alcohol was taken.
On Sept. 10, at 12:05 a.m. a liquor outlet in the 4400 block of 59 Street in Stettler had a window smashed in an apparent break in attempt. Five minutes later, seven blocks east, a business in the 4500 block of 50 Street had an out building broken into. It is believed the two incidents are related and the fact that burglar alarms were tripped prevented thefts from occurring.
THEFT
Overnight on Sept. 13 eight vehicles were reported broken into, or attempts were made to enter them. The incidents occurred in the 4700, 4900 and 5000 blocks of 52, 53, 54 and 57 streets in Stettler. Much personal property was stolen including fishing tackle, CDs, CD players, iPods and cameras.
Thefts from vehicles also occurred overnight on Aug. 31 along 45 Street, on Sept. 2 in Walmart parking lot, on Sept. 6 in the 4000 block of 65 Street and along 65A Street, and on Sept. 7 in the 4000 block of 65 Street. Items stolen include iPods, Blackberries, purses, wallets, vehicle keys and money. Although some vehicles were locked, many were not. Many victims left their property in plain sight to anyone looking inside. Police encourage motorists to remove all valuables from their vehicles and lock the doors when parking.
On Aug. 31, in the 4600 block of 57A Street in Stettler, two BMX bicycles were stolen from the back yard of a residence.
On Sept. 2, at approximately 6:35 p.m., a grey truck left a Stettler gas station without paying for gas. Drumheller RCMP Detachment stopped the offender south of Rumsey on Highway #56 where they resolved the matter without laying charges.
On Sept. 9, a framed print of cowboys on horseback was reported stolen from a business lobby in the 4700 block of 49 Avenue in Stettler.
Be a good neighbour and keep an eye out for suspicious activity and call police quickly to report it. Call 911 if you witness a crime in progress. If you have information to assist police in solving these or any crimes, call CRIMESTOPPERS at 1-800--222-TIPS or send an email to www.tipsubmit.com.