Cochrane RCMP are asking the public to come forward with any information with respect to a confrontation that took place south of Bragg Creek, at the Bragg Creek Provincial Park Feb. 17.
The local detachment received a report around 4:30 p.m. that a Caucasian male, accompanied by his dog, had gotten into a confrontation with another Caucasian male accompanied by a dog reported to be a ‘pitbull type’.
The man reported that this confrontation escalated and that the other individual pulled a concealed handgun and pointed it at him.
He then reported that this individual got into an (vaguely described) older green SUV, accompanied by an African American female passenger and the ‘pitbull type’ dog.
He was reported to have left the park, heading toward Hwy 66.
Local RCMP immediately responded, scouring the area and nearby roadways but were unsuccessful at locating a vehicle matching that description; anyone with information can contact the Cochrane RCMP at 403-851-8000.
The Eagle received an email of a picture of a vehicle that had been driving on Ghost Lake sinking under the ice.
The individual said that ‘at least five vehicles’ have gone through the ice at Ghost Lake in the last two weeks — likely due to unseasonably high temperatures.
According to Corp. Mel Calahasen, there are a number of factors that people may wish to consider before driving out on the ice — including the questionable thickness of the ice in portions of the lake.
“I wouldn’t suggest it,” he cautioned, adding huge potential cost factors and the damage a sinking car (that may or may not be retrievable) may have on the environment.
Calahasen said to the best of his knowledge, if a vehicle goes through the ice, insurance would likely not cover any of the replacement, retrieval or repair costs — as a lake is not an official roadway.
Additionally, should an offender be caught driving under the influence or driving dangerously (doing donuts) they could face hefty fines from law enforcement.
Calahasen said if one chooses to drive on the ice (with current weather conditions being of consideration), at the very least they should remain as close to the shoreline as possible.
He added that only one report has been officially filed over the last few weeks with the RCMP, as well as one inquiry about how to get in touch with Stoney Nakoda First Nation in nearby Morley to enter Nation land to attempt to retrieve a vehicle that had gone through the ice.
The RCMP is currently recruiting and will be making a presentation at the Bearspaw Youth Centre in nearby Morley Feb. 24 at 6 p.m.
In 2013, 7.9 per cent of RCMP officers self-identified as Aboriginal and the RCMP continue to focus on recruitment of minorities, including First Nations Peoples.
Corp. Calahasen said that there have been reported successes from recruitment of Aboriginal officers, as far as working with First Nations people — as this creates better relations and establishes more trust between the RCMP and Aboriginal people.
