Vandalism at cabin
Directors of the Knuckleheads Winter Recreation Association are disturbed and upset by the way A Branch cabin has been treated this summer and will be installing a gate to prevent access by vehicle as a result.
Groups have been abusing the privilege of access to the cabin by partying and then leaving the cabin in a state of complete disarray. Personal lockers have been broken into, all the fuel in the cabin used up, beer cans left behind, items stolen and sinks left full of dirty and broken dishes. Users have also burned tires in the fire pit and thrown propane bottles into the fire.
The cabin is maintained by volunteers who have to clean up these messes left by others. Knuckleheads director Andy Evans said he and other members of the group find it frustrating to have a small group of inconsiderate people ruin what is a good thing for a large group of users.
“We feel it as a personal attack,” said Evans. “We all have our heart and soul into this.”
The group is hoping to deter this type of user by putting up a locked gate near the bottom of the access road. From now on campers will have to hike in. Evans said that Knuckleheads members installed the footings for a gate two years ago as a threat that if people didn’t smarten up they would finish the job. Now they intend to finish the job.
The association is looking for donations to help with the cost of installing the gate. Members hope to have it installed before the snow comes and that in the winter snow will be high enough that the gate will be buried and snowmobiles will still have access.
Safe Halloween
Powell River authorities are reporting a relatively quiet Halloween weekend and Monday, with only a few minor incidents to report.
Powell River RCMP responded to two disturbance complaints as well as a theft, as a result of Halloween festivities. Proactive patrols by police also resulted in the seizure of liquor and fireworks from a few youth.
“For the most part, everyone was out having a good time in a safe, responsible manner,” wrote Constable Chris Bakker to the Peak.
Powell River Fire Rescue Chief Dan Ouellette said Halloween was also quieter than had been expected for the fire department. After a uneventful weekend, two small fires did have to be attended to on Halloween Monday.
Some people lit wood debris on fire behind a business on Duncan Street. Fireworks caused an ornamental tree on a property on Toba Street to catch on fire. Ouellette said the homeowner and neighbours managed to have the tree mostly extinguished by the time the fire department arrived and that both instances were dealt with without complications.
Police arrest suspect
Police arrested a 39-year-old man, Jason Sawatsky, for possession of stolen property after numerous break and enters in the Powell River area.
On October 16, 2011, police responded to a report of an interrupted break and enter at a residence in the 4500 block of Harvie Avenue. The homeowner provided police with the suspect’s description and, as a result, a local woman was arrested.
During the ensuing investigation, it was determined that Sawatsky was responsible for a number of break and enters in the Powell River area. Police executed a search warrant at the residence, and found a large number of items that had been stolen from local homes, as well as a significant amount of marijuana and hashish. Sawatsky was not at the residence during the search, so measures were put in place by police to locate and arrest him.
On October 24, Sawatsky turned himself in to Powell River RCMP. He was immediately arrested for possession of stolen property as well as for two warrants out of Ridge Meadows’ RCMP detachment.
Sawatsky is facing five counts of possession of stolen property, two counts of possession of a controlled substance, one count of break and enter and one count of failing to comply with a recognizance.
“As a result of the thorough investigation done by police, and the information provided by a local homeowner, we were able to return a large amount of stolen property to its rightful owners,” said Constable Chris Bakker.
Powell River RCMP acknowledge the public’s assistance in this file and remind everyone to report suspicious activities to the RMCP or CrimeStoppers.
