Roy and his wife are both Newfound landers. Roy was born on the South West coast and like everyone else here is familiar with island life, being from Ramea Island. His family moved to St. John’s when he was eight years old. He joined the RCMP in 1973 and resigned in 1979, rejoining in 1988. During his time from the "Force" he acquired a Private Fixed Wing Pilot’s Licence and a Commercial helicopter Pilot’s Licence. He also embarked on a Marine Career, working on Offshore Supply Vessels. He has achieved his Master’s Certificate qualifying him to master a vessel of any tonnage in Home Trade Waters and Chief Mate of a foreign going vessel any tonnage. He is currently working on his Master Mariner’s Certificate.

Roy’s wife, Debbie, is from St. John’s. She will continue to teach kindergarten at Mary Queen of the World School, Mount Pearl. Roy’s son, Tim, will begin Grade VII at Immaculate Conception, Bell Island, in September.

Roy’s previous postings commencing with last posting: Holyrood Detachment, St. John’s Sub/Division Highway Patrol, St. John’s Sub/Division Drug Section, St. John’s Sub/Division Customs & Excise Section, St. Lawrence Detachment, out of the "Force" for approximately 9 ½ years, Patrol Vessel Pearkes, British Columbia, Hopedale Detachment, Labrador, Bonavista Detachment, St. John’s Sub/Division Customs & Excise, Patrol Vessel "Standoff", Burin, Nfld., Grand Falls Detachment and finally recruit Training, Regina Saskatchewan.

Roy, many years ago was a bugler in the Church Lad’s Brigade, and plans to participate with the C.L.B. Bugle Band on Bell Island.

On Thursday, July 1st, 1999, 84 R.C.M.P. members got their heads shaved in efforts to raise money and awareness for the Canadian Cancer Society. At different venues across the province members volunteered themselves to have their heads shave to show support for those affected by this terrible disease. A final total of funds raised has not been tallied but will be published in the near future.

By Cst. T. Griffiths

Sometime during the early morning of Saturday, June 16th, 1999, some person or persons attempted to enter the Crafts and Decor shop on Main Street. This was following a break enter and theft that occurred in the same shop a few days earlier. During the night of June 16th the door was forced partially opened after being re-enforced from the first occurrence. Luckily the culprit(s) did not gain entry to the shop but did considerable damage to the door and housing.

Around the same time, some person or persons forced their way into Stoyles Meat Market on Town Square. Once in side a bucket and a half of sausages was taken as well as a number of pennies. The culprits exited the market and threw the pennies on the road in front of the building . The store owner lost over one hundred dollars of inventory and cash. Five males were seen in the area at the time of the break and enter and were believed to be involved. Anyone having information to offer on the investigation of these incidents is encouraged to contact the Bell Island Community Policing Office.

By Chief Jim Pendergast

Last year we were raising money to purchase High Angle Equipment (for cliff rescue). With the help of the community we were able to realize our goal and purchased the equipment at a cost of $3724.97. Since we acquired this equipment we have had training sessions on this type of rescue. Anyone down around Number One Cove in May of this year, might have seen us going over the cliffs as part of the training exercises. The training course was instructed by two certified instructors from the St. John’s fire department. We appreciate their efforts and excellent instruction over the five days of training. We would also like to extend our appreciation to the Wabana Town Council who paid for the cost of this training. We are surrounded by cliffs on Bell Island and this type of equipment and training is a great asset to our fire department and to the people of Bell Island. Jim Pendergast, sr, Andrew Somerton, Frank Pendergast, Ron Barnes, Wayne Harding, Gerry Sweeney, Jim Pendergast, jr, Jerry Butler, jr, Jabez Butler, Angus Sweeney, jr, and John Taylor are the fire fighters who have been trained in the use of this type of equipment and rescue.

The members of the RCMPolice Bell Island Community Policing office responded to 63 calls for service during the month of June. The majority of the calls were of a routine nature. The following are a few of the reports received:

A resident of West Mines had been charged with allowing his animals to roam after a complaint was received in this regard on 99-06-04. He has been charged under the Wabana Municipal regulations and will appear in court on 99-08-11.

On 99-06-06 at 0245 hrs police responded to a disturbance outside a local licenced establishment. An 18 year old Bell Island man was apprehended as a result. He was set to appear in Provincial Court, St. John’s on 99-07-14.

On 99-06-11, an instructor from a local Aviation training school contacted the Bell Island Community Policing Office. He related that on 99-06-10, he had been using the Bell Island Air Strip and was about to land. As he approached the runway a red cavalier with a yellow front plate was driving beside the runway. When he was about 5 feet away the car pulled in front of him and raced down the runway. The plane was only a few feet away from the car when this occurred but no damage or trouble was encountered. The only further description the instructor could give is that the driver was male and was wearing a white shirt. Police are making patrols area checking any vehicles in the area.

On 99-06-14 at 0519 hrs a break and enter into the Crafts and Decor business located on Main St. Entry was gained by forcing an entrance door open. Once inside the culprits took three 20 litre tubs of ice cream. No other items were taken. The incident occurred sometime between 11:00 pm on 99-06-13 and the time of the report.

On 99-06-18, a Bell Island resident reported that his converted bus camper had been illegally entered. The bus camper was situated in the Dominion Pier area. The windows were smashed and a CD player, clock radio and 3 fishing rods were taken.

On 99-06-18 a 14 year old boy was apprehended after a report was received that he had assaulted his mother. A report has been forwarded to the Crown Attorney for review. Charges are pending upon the outcome of the review.

On 99-06-20 at 0250 hrs police responded to a disturbance outside a local licenced establishment. An investigation is being conducted and charges are pending against two male individuals.

On 99-06-24 a report was received regarding All Terrain Vehicles being operated on Fourth St. A 17 year old youth has been charged with operating an AT on a roadway. Two other persons have been charged for this same offence in this area in recent weeks.

Overnight on 99-06-25 someone attempted to enter the business Crafts and Decor situated on Main Street. The door was damaged but no entry was gained. This is the second time this month, this business was the target of vandals. The report was received on the morning of 99-06-26.

On 99-06-26 at 0908 hrs at 0908 hrs, Gord Stoyles came into work at his business, Stoyles Meat Market to find the side door had been forcibly opened and person or persons had entered the premises sometime overnight. The culprits took a bucket and half of sausages and a quantity of pennies. The pennies were found nearby.

On 99-06-26 a window was broke out of the Senior Citizens Complex on Number Two Road.

by Sgt. Wayne Hebb

by Sgt. Wayne Hebb

I have served as an RCMP officer for nearly 26 years and most of my service has been in outport detachments. Often at smaller detachments, there is limited manpower and the detachment office hours are limited. However, if there is no one at the office, people often come to the residences of the members stationed at the particular unit with their requests or complaints. Often our spouses or family members have to deal with situation as best as possible if the member is not at home. There are other times you are on days off and this occurs. It is a bit of an inconvience but for the most part you deal with it. Most time people are agreeable but I do recall one time in Wesleyville when I was having a family function and this fellow came to the door. There was no one at the office because the member on shift was working elsewhere in the detachment area and this fellow wanted to make an accident report. I tried to explain to him that he should try to come another day or arrange an appointment with the member investigating the accident but he was adament he wanted to make the report at that time. I finally had to get abrupt with him and tell him I wasn’t going to do that. He left my residence but he certainly wasn’t happy about it. Sorry about that fellow but that day my family was more important than your accident report.

While I was in Wesleyville and other areas I met a variety of characters. There was a group from Newtown who were always into it about something or getting in some kind of trouble. They were sort of hard cases I guess, but all the same they had a likeable way about them. Not that I was going to be good buddies with them but I could get along with them...most times. This one particular time, I didn’t quite appreciate their presence. On this occasion, my wife was away with our sons visiting her family and I was left behind as chief cook and bottle washer. Well, I would really only clean up the day before she got home but it gave the impression that I was very meticulous, I hope. Anyway, I was working this day while she was away and I had stopped one of these guys while on patrol. He was operating an unregistered vehicle so I gave him a ticket for this. I went on my way and around 6:00 pm I went home to get a bite to eat. I was making myself a sandwich when a car with two fellows came in my driveway.

Bell Island Day - July 25, 1999:

Many groups and organizations have expressed an interest in getting involved in this year’s activities and council is hoping this day will be well attended. An afternoon of fun and games of chance will commence on the Bell Island Sports Field at 2:00pm. There will be a dunk tank on the field but the persons going in the tank (Gary Gosine, mayor, Jim Walsh, MHA, Wayne Hebb, RCMP, Bill Bennett, M.V. Flanders, and Marilyn Sheppard, Food Bank) say they are not worried about getting wet. Want to prove them wrong? Well, come on down and give it a shot. All process will go to the Bell Island Food Bank. There is also a number of prizes offered for various events. Bell Island day will finish off with an adult dance at the arena. It will be a fun day for everyone so come on down and enjoy it.

Tidy Towns Contest

Representatives from the Tidy Towns Committee conducted a tour of our community recently. This committee visits many towns throughout Newfoundland and recognizes the towns and their residents for their efforts in making the towns more pleasant and tidy. The efforts of residents and community groups in this community is evident and the Wabana Town Council appreciates this move towards making our town a better place to live. Keep up the good work.

Water Supply

Due to lack of rainfall and very little snow this past couple of winters, many of our pumping stations have low water levels. Residents are advised not to waste water. During the peak demand in the daytime, homeowners may experience very little pressure and low water. Please refrain from watering your lawns and washing your vehicles, especially during the summer months. Thank you for you co-operation.

by Sgt. Wayne Hebb

On 99-06-16 a 39 year old Bell Island man was convicted of a charge of mischief. He was given a suspended sentence, victim fine surcharge of $35.00 and place on probation for a period of one year. One of the conditions of the probation is that he must complete 20 hours of community service.

On 99-07-14 an 18 year old Bell Island man was convicted of causing a disturbance and fined $75.00 and placed on probation for a period of 12 months. He was also convicted of a Liquor Control Act offence and received a $75.00 fine for this offence.

On 99-07-14 a 35 year old Bell Island man enter a plea of guilty to a charge of impaired operation of a motor vehicle. He was fined $1000.00 plus a victim fine surcharge of $100 for a total of $1100.00. He was also placed on probation for a period of 12 months and prohibited from driving for the same period.

This month’s newsletter is a little short and some regular articles and features didn’t get included. I apologize for this but during the summer months, things are a little more hectic than other months, so please excuse. Hopefully, this problem will not be encountered during August but please keep this in mind and don’t be too hard on us. Many residents are very supportive of this newsletter and we thank you for your support. We hope this has and will continue to keep you informed on what is happening with policing and community activities.