Guidelines put safety { From paac 3 the penalues are enormous They wouldn't do in it they thought ther ’d get caught 7 Wryekhani sass most pur suits are started becuse of stolen property came -- an assertion backed bv statisnes from local police departments. The majority of local chases were because oof drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs. stolen vehicles or property, or unhcensed or prohibited dn- vers. Last year in) North Vancouver, the combined cost of damage to property, polive vehicles, and suspect vehicles was $12,000, West Vancouver Police Set. Jim Alawas says he understands the concern of citizens like Robert Wyekham, but asks “Where do vou draw the line? ff alla suspect had to do to avoid police was make it tea vehicle, what kind of world would it be chen?” Almas cites, by way of example, the case of an armed escaped convict who got to a vehicle before police could catch him. They engaged in a pursuit. “He had a foaded semi- automatic = weapon,” Almas says. “He hadn't killed anyone, but the potential for him to kill someone was very high.” Impaired drivers also kill people, says Almas: “They have in their possession a lethal weapon. Do we now allow them to continue from West Vancouver to Whistler? We have to stop that driver to pro- tect the public.” Police officers are reluctant to release too much detail about the circumstances of Care Cenire ending a) Chase, because. as Almas says. “then the bad gays sould know what to do.” But there are a clear set of criteria used to assess the viability and safety Of a pursuit Trattic volume, poor road conditions, and the potential length of a pursuit can all sway the decision to engage ina chase. And though Wrekin per: ceives police chases as “a viscer al kind of situation” that “gets adrenaline going.” Almay is guick to underline that “police officers do not enjoy: putuny their lives at risk chasing a sus pect any more than they enjov vetting: shot at, but it’s our job, “The guidelines assist us in taking every precaution. Safety is the number one priority for evervone involved. We're encouraged to find an alterna- tive (to a chase), if there ts one available.” In West Vancouver, once a police officer has decided) to chase a suspect, his responsibil: ity becomes entirely focused on apprehension, A duty. officer assumes control and radios a second unit to dizect the pur- suit. If procedure is not fol- lowed at any time, the pursuit will be terminated. Almas says the duty officer continually assess the risk factors, because “for 300 seconds everything could be in order, and then 10 seconds later its called off becouse things have changed drastically.” Aimas describes Bill C202 as “a move in the nyght direc ten. TP think the new penanics would deter individuals com- Mitling minor infracions — bat f don’t know whether or not they would deter seasoned criminals, A lot of chitses are initiated by the indisidual before they have a chance to think of the consequences. They mav have a chance to avoid being appre: hended, and mest act without thinking ” Says Set. Bob Beaudoin of the North Vancouver RCMP traffic section, “the numbers are increasing exponentially. There’s not the sense of fear and apprehension thar there used to be. Yeu see chases on TV where the car crashes ina coud of smoke and the guy dusts his sleeve off and walks away, In veal lite, it’s bleod, sweat and tears. Unlike in the movies, when we crash the pain E.:Be ) is pleased to announce the new . location of his Podiatric Medical practice at #201 - 1868 Marine Crive | + Foot surgery * Sports medicine * Custom orthotics * General and diabetic care West Vancouver 926-1331 new patients & referrals weicome , _Home’s A Winner! Administratos at Capilano Care Centre, were recently received from Elma G. Heidemarn, Executive Director of the CCHSA. The correspondence Noted: “The Board of Directors of the CCHSA is (Owned & operated by Central Park Lodges) in West Vancouver is a Long Term Care facility providing a “home like” environ- ment to the 217 residents accommodat- ed in the Intermediate Care, Extended Care and Special Care Nursing Units. The Centre was recently surveyed by the Canadian Council on Health Services Accreditation tepresentatives to determine compliance with the accredi- tation standards as determined by Council. The CCHSA sets National accreditation standards for health care services and evaluates the organization's compliance with them. The accredita- tion program is voluntary, independent * of government agencies, and organized and administered by health care profes- sionals. The three year accredita- tion Award is the highest hon- our granted toa Canadian health care facility. The results of the survey, announced by Susan Rushton, West Vancouve 926-6856 pleased to advise you that your organization has been granted a Hee year Accreditation. Congratulations. This participation demon- Strates your commitment to the provision of quality care and service in your community. The stroug, cohesive management team is connnitted to the principles of quality care and has accomplished arnt impressive num- ber of initiatives in less Uhan two years, All staff members are commended for their efforts.” Should you require further informa- tion about Capilano Care Centre and the services it offers in its efforts to pro- vide quality care for the elderly, or if you wish a tour, please contact the Facility 2t 926-6856. SR Hem, Ss oe ae Of the need for police chas- es, Wryekham asks, “SVhy risk the hte ofa pohee officer? Why msk the hte of a pedestrian or another car driver? It doesn’t make any sense. “Chasing someone because of murder is one thing, but because they've stolen a TV se Ethink not Don’t go chas ing after kids because they've done something stupid Its a very foolish activity.” But, saves Beaudoin, “There needs to be a consequence to these things. fist to saw weve net going to chase and ger the bad guys later is nora way to address it. “You should) trast chose entrusted with cour satery to do what's right. We don't have a licence to kill We take an oath to serve and protect, and we take it very seriously.” Sunday, March 12, 2000 - North Shore News - 13 YLORMOTIVE COLLISION SPECIALISTS far Foreign & Domestic 1 NORTH SHORE’S | HIGHEST VOLUME | ALL MAKE | 1-¢.B.¢. VENDOR * Quality Workmanship * Trustworthy Service * 1.C.8.C. Vendor » B.C.A.A. Approved ¢ shop =a =) Accredited Collision Repairs = SEES ‘Che Hone of the Lifetime “> (narauter = Also Mechanical Division. . ti Repairs to oll mokes of Cors an Alternative transportation arranged. 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