By Roy L Hales

The Campbell River RCMP are experiencing a marked increase in the number of emergency calls this January.

“2020 was the busiest year in terms of calls for service at the Campbell River RCMP for at least 10 years. This makes January 2021’s file count thus far concerning when we compare to our 2020 numbers," said RCMP Media Relations Officer Const. Maury Tyre in a press release issued last night.

“At the end of business on January 27th, 2021, the Campbell River RCMP had already responded to 1,119 calls for service. At the end of the same date in 2020, they had responded to 995 files. That means a 12.5 per cent increase in calls for service so far in 2021, and many of those calls have been very labour intensive," the statement added.

Over the last month, Campbell River RCMP have dealt with a number of emergency incidents already in 2021.

RCMP Const. Maury Tyre. Photo courtesy of Campbell River RCMP.

Campbell River RCMP stated that mental health crises have been on the rise across the country and require "mentally agile officers to deal with them."

"It’s always our hope that when someone does need to be apprehended under the mental health act that it can be done in a peaceful manner. However as Mental Health situations are entirely unpredictable, officers have to be ready to protect themselves and the public if the subject gets violent," the statement said.

Five hour long negotiation

RCMP responded to a "remote locale" 30 minutes outside of Campbell River on Jan. 12 to "assess the mental health of a 36 year old male with violent tendencies and concurrent substance use issues that had indicated he had no interest in going with police in a peaceful manner."

RCMP conducted a five hour negotiation with the individual that ended peacefully with the man apprehended under the Mental Health Act and then moved to Campbell River Hospital.

“This event is an excellent example of the patience and care that our members in Campbell River and across the country take when dealing with Mental Health calls,said Cst Maury Tyre. “However it is also a stark display of the resourcing necessary to deal with Mental Health situations in a peaceful and safe manner which is what the public expects in these types of situations. Four officers were required to attend this event over a half hour away from the city, seriously depleting resources within the community and capabilities in dealing with lesser priority files. Our members showed amazing commitment and stayed several hours beyond the end of their twelve hour shifts in order to ensure a peaceful resolution and make sure the community of Campbell River had the staff it needed to respond to priority files.

A "severe psychotic episode"

RCMP confirmed that members were called to a "support society location" to help deal with a man suffering from a "severe psychotic episode."

“The 20 year old male believed that people were trying to control his mind and kill him and the people around him. The male’s psychological break from reality had been the result of untreated Mental Health issues and self medication with potent illicit drugs. Campbell River members were able to peacefully get the male out of the building treating the individual as they would under VIP protection to make him feel comfortable enough to leave the safety of his sheltered spot and transport him to Campbell River Hospital.”

Tyre said the event was another reminder of the inter-relationship between Mental Health and addiction. The issues police deal with are very rarely, one or the other, but usually a mixture of causes and issues.

Homeless women robbed

RCMP reported that two women who were living on the streets were attacked on Jan. 23 around 6:30 a.m.

"Two females who have been forced to live on the streets were camped out in front of the Campbell River Library when they had their belongings taken after one of them had been punched in the face several times. The RCMP investigation led to a 29 year old male who was also of no fixed address," the statement said.

A warrant was issued and RCMP arrested the man on Jan. 28.

Domestic chase

RCMP responded to a call at 10 p.m. on Jan. 21 on the South Island Highway of a woman who was trying to escape a relationship with a violent individual.

A search followed and when the man was located by police in his vehicle, he fled from the car and entered "the bushes of Simms Creek, crossed the creek and hid in the dense thickets and brambles," the press release stated.

“Officers had given chase and utilized the exceptional skills of Police Service Dog “Gator”, to locate the 35 year old man hiding in the woods. Upon location the male failed to follow police direction which resulted in a brief struggle and arrest," the statement said.

The man was identified as Ray Sharkey. He was charged with assault, uttering threats, resisting arrest and several counts of disobeying probation, according to RCMP. He remains in custody.

Instances such as these can be very dangerous for both the offender and the officers involved, said Cst Maury Tyre. In this case the suspect suffered a single bite from the police dog and some bruising due to resisting arrest and failing to follow police commands. It’s so important for people to understand, that resisting and running rarely ends in a positive way. Officers are more than willing to arrest without force, but are prepared to use force if it’s required.

Impaired driver

RCMP reported that a newer white compact car smashed into Adam's Tarp and Tool around 7:45 p.m. on Jan. 9, 2021.

"Campbell River RCMP attended and conducted an impaired driving investigation with the 26 year old male driver, who was not the owner of the vehicle. The man was found to have a blood alcohol content over 5 times the legal limit," the RCMP statement confirmed.

“Police are recommending criminal charges related to Impaired Operation of a motor vehicle," it added.

Cst. Tyre concluded his report with a reminder that "all criminal investigations are alleged to have occurred until tried in a court of law.”

“If you have information regarding criminal activity, please contact the Campbell River RCMP at 250-286-6221. In an emergency please call 911," he said.