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2- PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, December 1, 1998 ha "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" 14 charged with impaired in first weekend of RIDE Durham Police kicked off their annual Holiday RIDE program last weekend by taking 14 impaired drivers off the Region's roads. Joining nine other police agencies across the Greater Toronto Area, Durham Police began their 1998 RIDE (Reduced Impaired Driving Everywhere) program last Friday evening (Nov. 27). By the end of the weekend had checked a total of 6,000 vehicles in Durham, and arrested 14 people for drinking and driving. RIDE officers set up checkpoints in Clarington, Oshawa, Whitby and Pickering. During that time they gave 97 people roadside breath tests, issued 33 12-hour warnings, and arrested 14 people for driving with over 80 mgs. Eight of them were further charged with impaired driving. No motorist was charged with refusing a breath test, but police did lay a number of charges for various other offenses including pos- session of a controlled substance, having no insurance, and other Highway Traffic Act vio- lations. During the same time last year, a total of 5,000 vehicles were checked, 145 roadside tests were administered, 23 warn- ings were issued and 13 people were charged for driving with over 80 mgs. In 1997, a total of 41,000 vehicles were stopped at various Christmas spot checks, resulting in 75 drinking "and driving charges. Once again this year, a Holiday RIDE coupon book will be handed out to each drjver stopped by the police who has not been drinking. Proceeds from the book go to the Variety Club. Don't miss these great Ce [Ve | Ee | SON White or Oak White or Oak Students 49° Desk Bookshelf 19° RR CHEER ITE Port Perry 965-7391 ¢ Borst to ch Swivel Oak Police trained for pursuits Officers prepared for fleeing SUSpects, says local inspector By Chris Hall Port Perry Star Durham Regional Police officers are well trained in high-speed pursuits and take into consideration every factor involved, says Port Perry's top cop. Inspector Chuck Mercier, the head officer for the Region's three northern townships, says each officer behind the wheel of a cruiser is well-prepared to handle a chase. "Our officers are trained in patrollment issues throughout their careers," he said recently. On Sunday, Nov. 15, an Oshawa man was killed when a man fleeing two 26 Division police cruisers ran a stop light and broadsided the victim's car at a Manchester intersec- tion. That accident is still under investigation. "More cops die in traffic incidents while on the job then they do in violent situations," said Inspector Mercier. "With that in mind we're trained in pursuits as part of our regular training... The road is a dangerous place to be." Training begins at police college Initial training begins at the Ontario Police College, and public safety is the first thing on the priority list, he notes. "The first thing we learn in training is about public safety... we talk about it a lot and it's the number one issue we keep in the front of our minds. "Our officers are highly trained and they are known to make the proper decisions when called upon. If there is an alternative action they can take -- they have identified the vehicle and have an accurate address on the driver -- and they are satisfied there will be no further danger to the public, then they could call off the pursuit." However, getting correct information in only a few minutes sometimes makes decisions harder for officers. "If we get called for emergency service and we don't have a clue about what's going on -- is it an armed per- son, domestic dispute, barricade or hostage scenario? oose from Hardwood Work Bench -- then we have to take everything into consideration and take appro- priate action. "If we get an emergency call and then see a fleeing vehicle matching our description we will pursue it to prevent any further criminal acts." Urges common sense Using the province's pursuit guidelines -- and a little common sense -- Insp. Mercier says deci- sions are usually made by a super- vising officer involved. "It depends on the choices available, and made, at the time of the incident," he said, explaining that offi- cers will not engage in a pursuit in a busy downtown area with pedestrians and traffic nor will they chase a suspect through a school or park area. "The supervising officer will take control of the situ- ation and if the pursuit is deemed too hazardous to the public safety, the suspect or the officers, it will be dis- continued." And, while he hears the public outcry over high- speed police pursuits, he says it's not something the force can just stop doing. "Pursuits can be dangerous but we can't turn a blind eye to them like some people want us to. A tragedy may occur if we pursue, but what if we don't give chase and a tragedy happens somewhere else with that suspect? It may or may not happen. We have to look at each situation when it occurs and make the best possible decision for everyone involved." The provincial government is currently considering introducing new guidelines for police chases, including providing police with equipment for stopping fleeing vehicles. It's also rumoured the province will approve "bumping" fleeing cars to curtail chases. Chuck Mercier 159" Adult's Oak Pressback Rocking Chair Adult's Oak Boston Rocking Chair 142" 105" OPEN SUNDAY 17-4 PM _--