Category: Nelson Police Department

Tis the season to select a designated driver!  This December Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is once again teaming up with police agencies from across the Nation in implementing The Red Ribbon Campaign to advocate for safe, sober driving.

Citizens of Nelson can expect to encounter increased enforcement action against impaired driving this month in the build up to and throughout the festive season. The MADD community leader for Nelson, Pat Henman, said that “The Red Ribbon Campaign is a long-standing campaign developed by MADD Canada to raise awareness to drive sober during the holiday season. The ribbons are a symbol of support for victims and survivors of drunk driving crashes.” And that “if you see a red ribbon wear it in support for those of us who have been touched by this senseless crime.”

The Nelson Police Department wants everyone to enjoy a safe holiday season this year and recommends that if you are drinking, you should find alternative measures to get home by. Whether that’s by cab, transit or designating a sober driver. Simple steps like these can help you, and other motorists around you, to arrive alive.

If you suspect someone is driving while impaired,  pull over where it is safe to do so, dial 9-1-1 and ask for the Police.

For more information visit the MADD website at:

https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__maddchapters.ca_nelson_about-2Dus_&d=DwIGaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=-5TfA-ThLYIfifachIS6RhsbC0OT3sPRxxwhu3QiYrc&m=UcVjyr7nC8QmLzL69YvXU_EDvuuNr472Y6p_nGb5ay4&s=cbqLyyQXz6fEVLUILxC9C9uKXw4EhGqyVXJyjxM0dTQ&e

The Nelson Violence Against Women in Relationships (VAWIR) Committee invites you to
join us for a virtual candlelight vigil to mark the National Day of Remembrance and Action
on Violence Against Women.

December 6th, marks the anniversary of Montreal’s Ecole Polytechnique massacre when 14
women were murdered, because they were women.

COVID restrictions continue to limit us from gathering as a community, but on this important
day, we hope you will join us in an online candlelight vigil. There you can light a candle in
memory of the 14 women who died that day and/or you can light a candle to honour a
woman who’s life has been impacted by violence. We also encourage you to light a candle
at home and if you’d like, to email a picture that we can post onto our FB page. (The email
link can be found below.)

Please visit the grounds of Nelson City Hall between Dec. 2 nd -6 th .There will be 14 roses laid
to honour the women who died in Montreal on December 6 th . Additional roses will be
available for anyone wishing to lay one for a woman they’d like to honour or remember.
You’ll also see The Clothesline on the grounds of City Hall and in front of the Courthouse,
an interactive display to honour women who’ve experienced violence.

We hope that you’ll revisit our page again prior to December 6th for updates on the event,
for links to resources and to visit the virtual candlelighting.

On behalf of the Nelson VAWIR Committee,
Anna Maskerine
Coordinator and Committee Chair
amaskerine@servicesfyi.ca

There are currently allegations under investigation against Nelson Police Department Sergeant Nate Holt, posted on a Facebook page.  These allegations are being made by Mr. Ron Bendle and are related to an incident that occurred on June 10, 2021.   There is an ongoing investigation. The Nelson Police Department cannot comment further on this matter until the investigation is complete.

SUBJECT: Bicycle safety – Bike Helmets
As the summer weather continues into October, it is great to see citizens out on bicycles
in large numbers. With this, the Nelson Police Department would like to remind cyclists
about staying safe while out on the road.
Always wear an approved bicycle helmet that meets safety standards (CSA, ANSI, ASTM
or SNELL B-95) and occasionally check for signs of wear. The British Columbia Motor
Vehicle Act states that anyone who operates or rides as a passenger on a cycle must
wear a helmet. Further, it is also an offence for parent or guardian to allow a person
under 16 years old to operate a bicycle without a proper helmet.
Cyclists should also remember that they have the same rights and duties as a driver of a
vehicle while on the road. This includes:

• Obey all traffic signs and signals
• keep at least one hand on the handlebars
• Must not use the bicycle to carry more persons than the number for which is
  designed or equipped.
  Use hand signals and shoulder check in advance before taking any turns. Remember,
  drivers sometimes fail to yield right-of-way.
  Reflect on safety. Be extra visible with reflective gear on your bicycle pedals and wheels.
  Use caution around parked vehicles. Be aware of people in vehicles as well to avoid
  getting hit by an opening door.

SUBJECT: Summer Recap

During the summer months of 2022, the Nelson Police responded to 1,839 calls for service. Whilst this
may not seem like a lot in comparison to other years, officers were kept very busy. Here is a summary of
some of the most prominent and interesting incidents.
A Nelson man ransacked a house on the suspected tail end of a multi-day, drug induced bender. When
Police arrived on scene they found the man inside dressed in multiple winter layers brandishing a knife.
The man eventually advanced toward Police trying to shield himself behind a sleeping bag but was
successfully apprehended, unharmed, after a tazer deployment.
Members checked a suspicious RV traveling down toward CP rail property. The Washington licence plate
returned with a positive hit for a Silver alert from Washington State, USA for a missing senior with
dementia.  The male was apprehended under the Mental Health Act and spent the night at Kootenay Lake
Hospital before being reunited with his very relieved family.  The male was unaware he was in Canada and
thought he had made a wrong turn having driven for 7.5 hours.  Canadian Border Services Agency
followed up as the vehicle had run the border in Grand Forks.
A civilian called NPD to report a vehicle driving erratically. Members located the vehicle in Mountain
Station and initiated a traffic stop. The vehicle stopped initially, however the driver refused to cooperate
with officers’ commands and then decided to flee the scene. In the course of their escape, the driver
drove at a police officer, and collided with trees and a truck. The driver got a short distance before they
stopped and bailed out of the vehicle, running behind a chicken coop. The member pursued the driver on
foot and chased the driver back and forth around the chicken coop, yelling, “You’re under arrest!” with
the driver repeatedly responding, “No, I’m not!”
In late August a Nelson women borrowed her boyfriend’s car after consuming some adult beverages. She
only made it a few blocks before she proceeded to collide with multiple objects that resulted in the car
being flipped on to its roof. Thankfully both her and her dog were able to walk away unhurt but she did
lose her driver’s licence.

During a period of intense lightning that started multiple wildfires just outside the City of Nelson, Nelson
Police Department spent days fielding calls in relation to the water bombers operating over the city. The
most prominent of these was placed by a gentleman who called 911 to complain about the noise.
A male entered a local business and told employees that he was there to work on the furnace and the
staff allowed him access to the basement. When the owner arrived and questioned who was downstairs
he advised staff there was no furnace and the police were called to remove the male.
Members received a third hand report of an armed robbery in progress inside of a residence. The
members called the single occupant out of the residence. They initially appeared from the residence
unclothed but then returned and exited wearing a motor cycle helmet, ski goggles and a life jacket. The
occupant was apprehended.
The Darwin Award this summer goes to the male who pocketed a lit cigarette whilst talking to officers and
subsequently set his shirt on fire.
It is our pleasure and honour to continue to serve you.
Our regards
The Nelson Police Department

SUBJECT: Drug Seizure Nets Over $32,000 in Street Drugs (NPD File 2022-3434)

On Thursday July 28th, 2022 at approximately 23:00 hours, members of the Nelson Police stopped a vehicle
while conducting a Counter Attack Road check. The investigation revealed that both the driver and passenger
of the vehicle were wanted on outstanding warrants. Both parties were arrested and transported to the
Nelson Police Department. Subsequent search of the driver, resulted in police locating $32,000 of illicit street
drugs, which were concealed on the driver’s person. The following articles were seized by police during this
proactive initiative:
• Police located: $1000 cash
• Suspected Fentanyl – 92.93 grams – approximately value of $27,879
• Suspected Methamphetamine – 30.64 grams – approximate value of $3,064
• Suspected Cocaine – 13.29 grams – approximate street value of $1,329.
The Driver of the Vehicle is facing new charges of Driving while Prohibited and multiple counts of Trafficking in
a Controlled Substance. The passenger is not facing any additional charges in relation to the traffic stop.
Both parties were held for Bail Hearings to appear before a Judge and subsequently released.
Anyone who has information on drug-related activities in the City of Nelson is asked to contact the
Nelson Police Department.
Tipsters who wish to remain anonymous are asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477
(TIPS)