Plans are in the works for police officers to start riding school buses to keep an eye out for drivers who pass buses that have stopped to pick up children, said Staff Sgt. Poppy Hallam at the Jan. 16 policing and public safety committee meeting.
If an unlawful pass is reported, the school bus driver is required to act as a witness in court if the ticketed person disputes the offence. “If I put a police officer on the bus and have good cameras, then we have some evidence and don’t have to drag the school bus driver to the court,” Hallam explained.
While School District No. 46 buses don’t have dashcams, staff are currently researching whether it’s feasible to install them.
“The kids will love it. We’ll do it in the morning… It will take a couple hours of the police officers’ time and just get a feel of it and I’ll see what it’s like,” said Hallam, adding they would inform the public about the ridealongs. “It’s fair warning – it’s not safe and it’s not OK,” Hallam said. Warning letters are sent to drivers on the Sunshine Coast monthly, she said.
RCMP renovations
The front foyer of the Sunshine Coast RCMP detachment building in Sechelt is undergoing renovations. The size of the front foyer is being reduced because it doesn’t meet departmental security standards and because it’s oversized, Hallam said.
Spani Developments has been hired for the job. The front entrance to the detachment will be moved temporarily. The renovation is expected to last three months.
Cruiser on Gambier
A police cruiser will be coming to Gambier Island. A private citizen is expected to provide a secure location for the vehicle, which Hallam said is “months away” from arriving. “We have calls on Gambier and the paramedics would like that,” she said of the rationale for bringing a cruiser to the island.
