Grand Forks RCMP respond to more than 190 calls during March
By Lone Sheep Publishing
In a media release, the Grand Forks RCMP said officers responded to more than 190 calls during the month of March.
Detachment Commander, Sgt. Darryl Peppler said some of the calls for service included multiple and varying traffic complaints; frauds and other scam related complaints; landlord/tenant disputes; mental health related calls; counterfeit currency; false 911 and alarm calls; harassment and threats; missing persons; and break and enter.
Sgt. Peppler said officers also assisted local Ambulance and Fire Departments, the BC Coroner Services, and provincial and municipal agencies.
“One area of concern is the increase in calls related to telephone scams,” Sgt. Peppler said in the media release.
“The Grand Forks Detachment has received around 10 calls in the last two weeks from residents advising they received a call that their son or daughter was involved in an accident, that they were impaired by alcohol and are in jail, and that they need to send money to secure their release.”
“In one case, the scammer even had a female crying into the phone to simulate it was their daughter,” Sgt. Peppler added.
“Thankfully, it does not appear that anyone fell for (scam).”
Sgt. Peppler said another fraud attempt that Mounties are seeing is through text messaging where people receive text messages from their cell phone or TV provider that they are entitled for a refund and that the ‘claims department’ wants to e-transfer the money.
Sgt. Peppler said these companies don’t typically e-transfer, rather they will just credit the client’s account.
“A good rule of thumb, if it sounds too good to be true, it likely is,” Sgt. Peppler said.
RCMP would like to remind people that if they receive a call or text message, not to act right away, rather investigate it first.
“You can familiarize yourself with common frauds and schemes by visiting online the Canadian Anti-Fraud Center,” Sgt. Peppler said.
“Great advice is given on what to look for and how to protect yourself. In addition, tell your friends, family and coworkers if you suspect you were almost a victim of a fraud.
“The more word we can get out there, the more knowledgeable we all will be.”
Sgt. Peppler said with the nicer, warmer weather and the feeling the COVID-19 pandemic may be ending, police are seeing an increase in calls for service as more people return to normal activities.
Some of the calls during March include:
- Total calls for service – 193
- Collisions under $10,000 – 5
- Collisions over $10,000 – 4
- Theft Under $5000 – 5
- Cause Disturbance – 2
- Suspicious Persons/Vehicles – 19
- Check Well Being- 8
- Assaults – 4
- Bylaw – Noise – 4
- Impaired Driving – 2
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