Vol. 4 No. 3                                                                                                   July / August 2002

Bell Island Community Policing Newsletter
"Community Policing - Everyone’s Business"

Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Avalon East District - Bell Island Detachment
Writer/Editor: Cst. Scott Stephenson


ATV COMPLAINTS
by Sgt. Ron Andrews

It seems everyday we receive complaints regarding ATV'S on Bell Island. The complaints range from ATV's on the road to dangerous operation. A large majority of the ATV'S on this island are not registered and don't display a licence plate, which for those of you who are not aware is an offence under Motorized Snow Vehicles and All Terrain Vehicles Act.

We have had a some accidents involving ATV'S in the past couple of years where a life has been claimed and others have been injured. This is not just a problem on Bell Island but for most of the Province. There are people who operate ATV'S on this island that operate their ATV'S in a courteous and safe manner and don't bother anybody. On the other hand there are people who operate their ATV'S in a dangerous manner and have absolutely no respect for anybody, thus the complaints we receive on a daily basis. It's unfortunate that a few are going to spoil the fun for those who enjoy their ATV'S for what they were meant for, "OFF ROAD USE".

The following is a compliance schedule for ATV'S (Trikes & Quads) along with the some of the charges and fines one can face.
-Sec. 3 - Registration
and ID Plates- Required and to be clean and unobstructed.
Fine $100.00
-Sec. 4(a) - Operate in a Dangerous Manner. Fine $100.00
-Sec. 5(1) - Operate ATV outside approved area. Fine $200.00 -$500.00 -Sec 6(1) - Operate on Highway. Fine $100.00
-Sec. 8(2)(b) - Allow person under 16 to operate. Fine $100.00
-Sec. 9(2) - Operator permitting passenger. Fine $100.00
-Sec. 10(1) - Operate or ride without a helmet. Fine $100.00
-Sec. 10(2) - Operate without shield/glasses/goggles. Fine $100.00
-Sec. 11 - Operate without adequate lamps. Fine $100.00
-Sec. 12(c) - Inadequate braking system. Fine $100.00
-Sec.13(1) Operate without due care and attention. Fine $100.00
-Sec. 13(2) Operate without reasonable consideration for others. Fine $100.00
-Sec. 15(2) - Fail to obey directions of a peace officer. Fine $100.00
-Sec. 16 - fail to report accident. Fine $100.00
-Sec. 16(1) No insurance. Fine $250.00

BELL ISLAND JOINT COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE
by Pat Craig

On April 10, 2002, a group of concerned citizens from Bell Island met with the Minister of Health concerning the Hay Report and how its recommendations would impact health care in our community. Subsequent to our meeting it was decided to organize the "Bell Island Joint Committee on Health Care". This committee is now made up of 18 volunteers including representatives from health care, seniors, youth groups and the RCMP. We have already had six meetings and plan to meet as long as is necessary.

In the near future it is our intention to conduct a confidential survey of the health care needs of Bell Island. It is our hope that the results of this survey will enable us to develop a comprehensive health care plan that will meet the specific health care needs of our community. We ask that every household in the community respond to this survey. It is only with your cooperation that this survey will reflect the valid needs of Bell Island.

NEWS FROM THE WABANA TOWN COUNCIL

CHLORINATION SYSTEMS
Final estimates have been prepared and tenders will be called soon to install chlorination systems at our pumping stations. Until this work is completed, residents are advised that the BOIL ORDER is still in effect. When the chlorination systems are installed and put into service the boil order will be lifted. Please take note that the BOIL ORDER is still in effect until further notice, as a precautionary measure.

SALE OF LAND

Over the last number of months council has taken the steps required to start the process of identifying all vacant land in our town. There are many parcels of land where the owners are not known, this land will be for sale. The following is a list for residents to view, if you know the owner of any of the vacant land listed, please contact the council office.

-24 Armoury Road Estate of Jack Dawe
-19 Armoury Road Skanes Estate address unknown
-36-40 Backview St. Owner Unknown
-9 Backview St. Owner Unknown
-47 - 49 Backview St. Owner Unknown
-53 Beach Hill Estate of Emily Shears
-55 - 67 Beach Hill Owner Unknown
-40 - 42 Bennett St. Owner Unknown
-26 - 34 Bown St. Owner Unknown
-6 Butler's Lane Estate of Jack Kavanagh
-5 Butler's Lane Estate of Jack Kavanagh
-2 Byrne St. Owner Unknown
-10 - 14, 16 - 20 Byrne St. Estate of Benedict Farrell
-9 - 11 Byrne St Owner Unknown
- 16 - 18 Cabot St. Estate of Doug Clarke
-5 - 7 Carbage's Loop Owner Unknown
-9 - 19 Carbage's Loop Owner Unknown
-60 Carter Ave. Owner Unknown
-1 - 5 Carter Ave. Owner Unknown
-7 Carter St. Owner Unknown
-17 Carter Ave. Owner Unknown
-23 Carter Ave. Owner Unknown
-7 Cemetery Lane Estate of Austin Bennett
-27 Cemetery Lane Estate of Arthur Proudfoot
-39 Cemetery Lane Owner Unknown
-18 Church Rd. Owner Unknown
-6 Colbourne St Estate Of Nellie Whelan
-12 Colbourne St. Owner Unknown
-13 Controller Road Owner Unknown
-33 Controller Road Owner Unknown
-47 Controller Road Owner Unknown
-26A Conway St. Owner Unknown
-28 Conway St. Owner Unknown
-34 Conway St. Estate of Bernard Normore Address Unknown
-38 Conway St. Owner Unknown
-27 Conway St. Owner Unknown
-29 Conway St. Arthur Jenkins Address Unknown
-29A Conway St. Roy Griffen's Address Unknown
-1 Coomb's Lane Estate of Annie Jackman Address Unknown

CAR WRECKS AND CLEAN - UP

This year over 8 tractor trailer loads of car wrecks were removed off the Island. A Thank-you is extended to Works Services & Transportation for their assistance in using their tandem trucks and employees to help in the removal of some of the wrecks.
Council wishes to advise residents that vehicle wrecks are not permitted on their properties. A fee for removal of wrecks will be charged when the new tax schedule is published in January 2003.
Many home owners have carried out repairs to their homes and dressed up their properties and each year our town is becoming cleaner and greener. Keep up the good work. Council has received many positive comments about how our town and Island is becoming a most pleasant and enjoyable place to visit or reside.

Council wishes to thank all the summer students for their assistance to all the groups and organizations over the summer period and we wish them all the best in their future endeavors.

Tourism is one of the fastest growing industries in Newfoundland & Labrador and the increase each year of tourists and visitors to the No. 2 Mine Tour and Museum is rewarding and welcomed to our Island. The Bell Island Heritage Society should be highly commended for a job well done!

ATTEMPTED BREAK IN - REWARD OFFERED
by Cst. Scott Stephenson

On the evening of August 12, 2002 culprit(s) pried open a window in an attempt to gain entry to a building on Town Square which used to be the Drug Store. The alarm went off in the building and appears to have scared off the culprit(s).

The owner of the building, Mr. Philip O'Keefe has offered a reward to find out who was responsible for the incident. The reward will be paid only upon conviction of the person(s) responsible.

If you have any information to help solve this case please contact Mr. O'Keefe in confidence at the Family Drug Mart phone # 488-3390. The person supplying the information will be kept confidential by Mr. O'Keefe, and he will provide the information of the person(s) responsible to the Police.

COURT NEWS
by Cst. Scott Stephenson

-A 17 year-old Bell Island girl appeared in court on July 23rd to answer to charges of Uttering Threats. She entered a guilty plea and was sentenced to 6 months probation.

-Also on July 23rd another 17 year-old Bell Island girl plead guilty to charges of Assault and Breach of Probation. She was sentenced to 9 months of probation.

CRIME STOPPERS
Newfoundland and Labrador
by Cst. Scott Stephenson

Since it's commencement on November 23, 1992 CRIME Stoppers has had the following results:
# of cases solved - 1087
# of charges laid - 2,228
# of persons arrested - 990
Property recovered - $854,549
Arson solved ($) - $373,800
Frauds solved ($) - $403,435
Drugs seized ($) - $800,670
Customs seizures ($) - $291,308
Fugitives apprehended - 54
Crimes of the week solved-30
Awards paid - $86,850

CRIME Stoppers does not subscribe to caller ID. All information will be kept confidential.
Crime doesn't pay, CRIME Stoppers does.
1-800-222-TIPS

POLICE FILES
by Cst. Scott Stephenson

- A fight inside a local club on July 6th resulted in charges of assault causing bodily harm being laid against a 29 year-old Bell Island man. He will appear in court in December.

-Charges of assault have been laid against a 32 year-old Bell Island man in connection with an incident at a local bar on July 7th. The man will appear in court in November.

-Two 17 year-old and a 21 year-old males were checked by Police walking on Steve Neary Blvd. on the evening of July 13th and were found to be in possession of liquor. The 21 year-old has been charged with supplying liquor to minors and will appear in court in December.

-Police arrested and charged a 27 year-old man from Ontario with Assaulting a Police Officer and Causing a Disturbance after an incident outside a local bar on July 13th. The man was held in custody for the weekend and entered a guilty plea when he appeared in court on July 15th. He was fined $700.00 and given 6 months probation.

-On July 15th Police received a call from a local resident who had received a threatening phone call from a former Bell Island resident. The investigation revealed that the 40 year-old man had uttered a threat against the person. The man will be charged with uttering death threats and a warrant will be requested for his arrest.

-A 16 year-old Bell Island male was stopped by police on Steve Neary Blvd on the evening of July 19th and found to be in possession of liquor. He was charged and the matter was dealt with by way of diversion.

-An assault which took place during a dance at Monsignor Bartlett Arena on July 20th resulted in charges being laid against a 37 year-old man. He will appear in court in December.

-While on patrol behind a local watering hole on the night of July 28th, police arrested a 43 year-old Bell Island man for possession of a controlled substance. He will appear in court in November.

-On August 16th Police stopped a 47 year-old Bell Island man for operating a vehicle with expired plates. The driver was found to be under the influence of alcohol and was subsequently charged with impaired driving and driving over.08. He will be appearing in court in November to answer to the charges.

- A 41 year-old Bell Island man was charged for impaired driving and driving over.08 when he was stopped by Police on August 19th. He will also appear in court in November.

- Police have charged 2 males aged 15 and 18 after they were caught drinking beer behind a local club. They have been charged with Illegal Possession of Alcohol and will appear in court in October.

12 HOUR RELAY FOR CANCER SURVIVORS
by Clara Hammond

On September 6th, 2002 a 12 hour relay was held for cancer survivors at Pearl Gate Field in Mt. Pearl. The relay started at 7:00 pm and ended at 7:00 am. One of the teams participating was the "Wabana Team" which consisted of 10 members : Maisie HAMMOND(captain) Amanda HAMMOND
Joan CUMMINGS
Clara HAMMOND
Maime FITZPATRICK
Dot HAMMOND
Rosarie COLLINS
Stephanie COLLINS
Tara KEAN
Susan POWER

Over $70,000.00 was collected from the run with the "Wabana Team" collecting a total of $1880.00. The money will go to cancer survivors and their families in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The "Wabana Team" would like to thank all the people who sponsored them in this walk-a-thon. Also a special thank you to Peter KENT for providing Bell Island pins to each team member. Once again thank you to all who made this event a tremendous success, and hopefully next year more Bell Islanders will be involved.

HUMOR

I went to the store the other day, I was only in there for about 5 minutes and when I came out there was a motorcycle cop writing a parking ticket.

So I went up to him and said, 'Come on buddy, how about giving a guy a break?' He ignored me and continued writing the ticket. So I called him a not so nice name. He glared at me and started writing another ticket for having bald tires!! So I called him another not so nice name. He finished the second ticket and put it on the car with the first. Then he started writing a third ticket!! This went on for about 20 minutes, the more I abused him, the more tickets he wrote.
I didn't care....... My car was parked around the corner!
************************
A mechanic was removing a cylinder head from a motor of a Harley Davidson motorcycle when he spotted a world famous heart surgeon in his shop. The heart surgeon was waiting for the service manager to come look at his bike. The mechanic shouted across the garage, "Hey Doc, can I ask you a question?"
The surgeon was a bit surprised but walked over to the mechanic working on the motorcycle.
The mechanic straightened up and, wiped his hands on a rag and asked, "So Doc, look at this engine. I can open it up, take valves out, fix'em, put in new parts and when I am finished, it'll work just like a new one. So how come I get a pittance, and you get the really big money when you and I are doing basically the same work?"
The surgeon paused, smiled and leaned over and whispered to the mechanic......."Try doing it while it's running!".
************************
Kindergarten teacher was observing her classroom of children while they
drew. She would occasionally walk around to see each child's work. As she got to one little girl who was working diligently, she asked what the drawing was? The girl replied, "I'm drawing God." The teacher paused
and said, "But no one knows what God looks like." The girl replied, "They will in a minute."
************************
An honest seven-year-old admitted calmly to her parents that Billy Brown had kissed her after class. "How did that happen?" gasped her mother. "It wasn't easy," admitted the young lady, "but three girls helped me catch him."

INTERESTING FACTS
TYPEWRITER is the longest word that can be made using the letters only on one row of the keyboard.

"Go." is the shortest complete sentence in the English language.

A crocodile cannot stick its tongue out.

The cigarette lighter was invented before the match.

Americans on average eat 18 acres of pizza every day.

THANK YOU
by Cst. Scott Stephenson

The following businesses are kind enough to allow the newsletter to be displayed for pick-up.
-Bayview Grocery (Kitchen's)
-Byrne's Easy Save
-Clarke & Clarke
-Co-Op Bakery
-Crafts and Decor
-Family Drug Mart
-House of Stoyles
-Hurley's Store
-My Friend's Place
-Linda's Grill
-Murphy's Garage
-Ridgeway Variety
-Shirley's Hair Styling
-Skanes Foodland
-Slade's Food Town
-Stoyle's Meat Market
-Sun Sun Restaurant
-The Coffee Shop (Beach)
-Verge House
-Wabana Town Council
-West Mines Convenience
-Yik's Store

CLOSING

If you have any comments, concerns or questions about the newsletter, please contact us at the detachment at 116 Memorial Street, P.O. Box 1179, Bell Island, Nfld. & Lab., A0A 4H0, or at the following:
(709)488-3312
Fax (709)488-2311
Toll Free 1-800-709-7267
(RCMP)
Cell # 7267
E-mail:  scott.stephenson@rcmp-grc.gc.ca