A recent school zone safety enforcement initiative in Winkler, spanning a little more than a month, indicates motorists are adhering to slower speed limits in school zones, for the most part.  The initiative was a joint initiative between the Winkler Police Service and Manitoba Public Insurance.

Winkler Police Chief Rick Hiebert said the program started shortly after the new school year began, and allowed officers to devote nine shifts, totalling just over sixty hours.  "The school zone safety enforcement is simply going around to the different schools in town, checking speeds in the new reduced speed areas, also being cognisant of other issues like not stopping for stops signs, school patrols, or distracted driving."

During the nine shifts targeting school zones, a total of 23 tickets were issued, all but one were for speed.  One ticket was issued for using a cell phone while driving.

On average, Hiebert said 1 ticket was handed out every 2 and a half hours during the school safety campaign, and considering the amount of traffic that went through the targeted zones, he feels that shows people are getting the message to slow down.

The following is the Winkler Police Service Weekly report for the period of October 11th to 16th, as submitted by the department.

~Our police service opened 86 files during the past week.  The following are some of those files.~

October 12th:    A business owner on George Street reported a theft of two batteries which occurred sometime during the past 10 days or so.  One battery was stolen from a camper trailer and the other from a boom lift.

October 13th:    Officers attended twice in one evening to the same apartment suite after other tenants complained about having to endure the smell of marihuana in their own suites.  One of the suspects spoken to relinquished a small quantity of marihuana, and was issued a verbal warning.  The property manager was apprised of the incident as well.

October 14th:    At approximately 6:36 p.m. officers received an anonymous call about a stolen vehicle situated behind the curling rink. The caller provided a vehicle description and partial plate number.  Officers attended and confirmed it to be reported stolen.  After conducting surveillance on the vehicle for about 10 minutes, officers observed a male enter the stolen vehicle and leave.  Officers immediately stopped the vehicle and arrested the driver without incident. A search of the driver produced a wallet with several credit cards in the name of another person. The wallet and credit cards were also determined to be stolen, unrelated to the vehicle. The driver admitted later that he was responsible for stealing the vehicle and the wallet. The accused, age 32 from the Altona area, was released on a Promise To Appear with an Undertaking to face charges of Theft of Motor Vehicle, Theft Under $5000.00, Possess Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000.00 and Possess Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000.00 and for Driving While Disqualified.  A second man, age 33, from Winkler stored the vehicle in his garage knowing it was stolen and faces one charge of Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000.00.  He has also been released on a Promise To Appear with an Undertaking.

October 15th:    Officers received a call at 4:46 a.m. from a woman who advised of a street fight involving three males on 2nd Street at Pembina Avenue.  When officers arrived on scene, only two of the males remained. One of the men, to intoxicated to form a sentence or comprehend his disposition was taken into custody under the Intoxicated Persons Detention Act. The other was determined to be the husband of the caller, who was attending to pick him up when she observed the fight.  No charges were laid as result of this incident.

October 15th:    An anonymous call was received about a woman who was behaving as if in fear and possibly intoxicated.  Officers located the woman and her husband on the parking lot at Hi-Way Tempo where both were interviewed.  After questioning both as to why officers were called, it was determined that the couple while traveling to Winkler, had gotten into a heated argument.  It was determined through investigation that nothing criminal had occurred and that no conditions were being breached by either person.  Alcohol was not a factor, and comfortable that the situation had calmed, officers concluded their involvement.

October 16th:    Shortly after 2:00 a.m., residents of Victoria Street reported that an unknown male had just walked into their living room. As soon as the intruder saw one of the residents on the couch he turned and fled. The residents then noticed that their vehicle in the garage had been rummaged through. Members of the Morden Police Service attended to assist in the search for the suspect.  While patrolling the area, officers noted a number of vehicles on driveways with interior lights on, and or doors left open. The incident remains under investigation.

October 16th:     At 4:53 a.m., a call was received from a resident of Gemstone Drive stating someone was knocking on their door.  Officers attended and learned that both residents were awakened by knocking on their front door.  As they made their way towards the door, the knocking was heard again, this time coming from the back door. The residents looked out in time to see a lone figure walking away.  A search of the area failed to locate anyone.

October 16th:    A resident of Tanager Way returned home from a weekend away to find someone had stolen her car from on her driveway. Unfortunately the victim had left the keys in the ignition of the unlocked vehicle.

As well this week officers dealt with numerous mischief complaints, thefts and disputes, and were able to resolve several situations through mediation.  In total five suspicious persons reports were received. One investigation was conducted under the Fatal Inquiries Act.

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