Estevan Police Service members were involved in a number of activities during the past week including investigations into illegal drug use, traffic violations that caused damage to a local business and a steady run of alcohol-related infractions.
On May 28, EPS members initiated a traffic stop in the central part of the city that resulted in a 21-year-old man being arrested for being intoxicated in public and for being in possession of a controlled substance, marijuana. The man now has a June 30 court date.
On that same day shift, another driver was stopped and was subsequently issued a 24-hour suspension of his driver's licence following a breathalyzer test.
A 30-day suspension of a driver's licence was issued to a young driver who was listed as a Novice 2 operator. He too had registered a significant level of impairment (over .04 per cent) on a breathalyzer test.
City police also issued a number of tickets under the Traffic Safety and Alcohol and Gaming Regulations Acts during the day shift. Those charges included such things as speeding, operating an unregistered vehicle and violations of several city bylaws.
On the night of May 29, EPS members were dispatched to the central part of the city to follow up on a report of a man who had punched and broken a mirror and a wall. The 29-year-old was lodged in cells until sober after being charged with mischief. He now has a July 7 court date.
During that same shift, an 18-year-old woman was arrested and charged with being in possession of controlled substances, namely marijuana and hashish. She will make her first court appearance on July 7.
Police next attended to the central part of the city in response to a noise complaint. A 37-year-old woman was charged under the city's bylaw for making loud, unnecessary noises.
During a patrol of the city's recreational areas on the night of May 30, EPS members visited the local skateboard park where they ended up charging one young person for being in possession of alcohol. Other than that singular incident, police noted that a large group of young people were having a good time in the park, enjoying the weather and were happy to display some of their impressive skateboard skills to the police officers who appreciated their skilled efforts.
Later that night police were called to a west side convenience store in response to a report of a vehicle jumping the sidewalk and crashing through the window on the northside of the business. Damage was extensive but police reported that no one was injured. The truck then left the scene without notifying the property owners but police were able to quickly identify and locate the 57-year-old driver of the vehicle and arrested him for driving while impaired and for hit and run.
When the driver was taken into custody and transported to the police station, he refused to submit to a breathalyzer test, so he was charged accordingly and held in cells until regaining sobriety. He now has a July 21 court date.
Police responded to two RID (report impaired drivers) calls during the course of the May 30 night shift. Both vehicles were located and the drivers submitted to police investigations and roadside tests and were found to be sober, so no further action was required. EPS members said later that they appreciate receiving the calls because it indicates the citizens are willing to assist in watching for and identifying possible impaired drivers within the city.
EPS members also made a couple of residential visits in response to calls complaining about noisy parties. In both instances, a warning to the homeowners was sufficient.
On May 31, EPS members were called to an apartment building and to a local business in regards to people being caught in stalled elevators. In both instances the people were only trapped inside for a short period. In the case of the apartment complex, the power was restored shortly after the incident occurred, putting the elevator back in service while in the case of the business, Estevan Fire Rescue Service personnel attended the scene and were able to open the door to free the one passenger stuck inside.
A call from a frantic parent put EPS members into action mode on May 31. The parent had discovered a note from the child indicating that the youngster was running away. While police were gathering information from family members, the young person in question returned home, unharmed.
Another couple of calls were placed with police regarding a man blocking a road and causing a disturbance. In both instances, the callers suggested the man was potentially violent, and they were frightened due to his actions.
When police arrived on the scene and approached the man, he resisted their efforts to control the situation, so he was taken to the ground, arrested and charged with disturbing the peace and resisting arrest. The man later admitted that he had ingested an illegal drug.
The next call to police involved a possible suicidal male. He was subsequently located by members of the Estevan detachment of the RCMP and transported to St. Joseph's Hospital for evaluation of his mental condition.
A domestic disturbance in the central part of the city attracted police attention on May 31. Police learned the dispute was being waged over a child custody issue. Police were informed of the custody agreement and the woman who was responsible for the disturbance eventually departed the area without further incident.
On June 1, EPS members responded to an emergency call from an elderly woman who believed someone was inside her residence. When police attended the scene they were unable to locate anyone and there was no indication of a forced entry, so they concluded that this was an unfounded incident.
Another call to police on June 1 came from a concerned father who asked them to check on his son who was living in Estevan. The father provided an address, but when police arrived there they learned that the man had recently moved, but information provided by another resident at the apartment helped them finally located the man who, they learned, was safe. He was instructed by police to call his family to let them know he was okay.
A call from a third party regarding a possible domestic dispute was responded to by police. The caller had indicated that a couple were arguing and yelling. Police attended the scene and while speaking with them, learned that they admitted they were yelling, but no one was hurt and no physical altercation had ensued, which police were able to confirm before departing.
