Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Mounties make good on their plan to name the names of those charged with impaired driving!


The RCMP frustrated with the level of impaired charges in the Prince Rupert area, has taken a rather public path in trying to cut down on the number of residents who insist on drinking and driving. To get their message across regarding the seriousness of drinking and driving, they have begun listing ad releasing the names of those who have been charged.

The idea was first presented to residents a little over a week ago and Tuesday they began releasing the names of those charged with impaired driving, after those who had been charged made their first appearance in the courts. Those names released were involved in charges for incidents from December 3, 2006-January 6, 2007. More names are scheduled to be released as those charged make their appearances in court.
The names were listed on the RCMP website and made available to local media.

The Mounties are hoping that the prospect of having names released to the public, will result in people thinking twice when they hop behind the wheel after a night of bar hopping.

From the RCMP website:

12 Local Residents Charged with Impaired Driving
March 20th, 2007, Prince Rupert, BC -
Several local residents have made their first appearance in Prince Rupert Provincial court, charged with Impaired Driving as a result of offences committed around the holiday season of 2006/2007. 12 people were charged with Impaired Operation of a Motor Vehicle as well as and Operating a Motor Vehicle while over .08 which relates to having a blood alcohol level over 80 mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood.
As previously announced, the Prince Rupert RCMP will release the names of each individual charged criminally with Impaired Driving in our community, in an attempt to further discourage Impaired Driving.
The 12 charged for incidents between December 3rd, 2006 and January 6th, 2007 are:
27 year Van VO
25 year old Michael GIRBAV
46 year old Eric KRISTMANSON
59 year old Diane KIESMAN
42 year old Kenneth HEMBLING
45 year old William ETZERZA
19 year old Emma CHRISTISON
54 year old Kathleen MACGREGOR
31 year old Jeffrey KINNEY
40 year old Duane JACKSON
21 year old Morgan GARRIOCH
33 year old Richards TIMMS
All are residents of Prince Rupert.
Additional people were charged over that time period but have not had their first appearance in court. Their names will be released after that time. Police are hoping that the thought of having their names released will be a further deterrent to potential Impaired Drivers.
To this point, it doesn't appear as though the Criminal Charges and Licence suspension have been enough to deter some people from driving drunk. Perhaps the thought of all their friends and colleagues knowing about their charges will encourage people to spend the few dollars on a cab ride home.

-->Steve Richards, Cst. Prince Rupert Media Relations / Community Policing
100 6th Ave West Prince Rupert, BC V8J 3Z3
Phone: (250)627-0764
Fax: (250)627-3013
Email: media.webmaster@rcmp-gr-.gc.ca

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