We owe a real debt of gratitude to our 100 Mile House RCMP members, as they do their very best to keep our highways and South Cariboo as safe as they possibly can.
Unless we are family members, friends or a good neighbours of an RCMP officer, it is unlikely that we would have a good idea of what they do for us on any given day or any given hour of the year.
Now, if we have been on a ride-along in a police cruiser or have a scanner we can listen to, we have a better idea of some of the nasty, dangerous or less-than-desirable situations they get involved in – all in the name of keeping the peace.
We have all heard stories from people who are more than a little miffed about being pulled over on the highway and having their vehicles towed away because they “only had a couple of drinks” or they were “only going over the speed limit because they “had to get somewhere fast.”
These people would be singing a different tune if they had to attend a vehicular incident that snuffed out the lives of people who are some families’ loved ones.
These are some of the tragedies our RCMP officers have to deal with all too often.
They also have to deal with extremely violent disputes that easily erupt into situations where they become the targets rather than the mediators.
It could involve a domestic dispute where they walk in not knowing there are firearms involved.
The same can be said for the fights in public places where all too often there is an unruly crowd involved waiting for someone to try to make an arrest or send people on their way.
The RCMP is the first to be called when someone is mentally distraught and is threatening to harm him or herself.
Because of this, they definitely deserve our support and assistance when they ask for it.
The 100 Mile House RCMP is asking for some community input, as it is in the process of putting together its detachment priorities together for the 2012/13 fiscal year.
Last year, the priorities included waging a campaign against drug production and distribution, as well as targeting unsafe driving, and drinking and driving offences.
It’s quite likely South Cariboo residents want to see more of the same or provide new hot-button issues.
Check out the Police Report on page 11 of this newspaper to see how we can all help.