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No calls for assault, fights, or intoxicated patrons for the Swift Current Municipal RCMP at Frontier Days, but 13 impaired drivers were taken off the roadway.
Four of the impaired drivers have been charged criminally, with three being impaired by alcohol. Nine others were handed roadside suspensions for impaired driving, with five impaired by drugs and four impaired by alcohol.
Evan Gordon, the Staff Sgt. for the Swift Current Municipal RCMP, said last year there was one fewer impaired criminal charge handed out, but more suspensions. He wasn't shocked by the numbers but disappointed by the actions of some.
"People just don't seem to get it or don't care," he said. "The thought of, well, it won't happen to me, it couldn't happen to me, as far as both being in a collision and getting stopped by the police. The confidence of people, the over-confidence, perhaps. It's something that we as a society are still struggling to figure out."
The Swift Current Municipal RCMP received assistance during the four-day event from the Saskatchewan Highway Patrol, Swift Current Combined Traffic Services Section, and the Swift Current Roving Traffic Unit. From Wednesday through Sunday, they received 45 calls for service while also conducting self-generated work and completing other investigations.
"I'm sure that anybody that was out and about probably saw lots of lights, lots of police vehicles driving around," he said. "Numerous stops conducted and lots of tickets and warnings issued for things like vehicle infractions, vehicle equipment, intersection offences, and speeding."
Gordon believes their strong presence, in combination with security guards at Kinetic Exhibition Park, helped mitigate some shenanigans.
"I think it contributed to the orderly manor that people behaved in throughout the event," he said. "Quite often, we do have those calls for drunken disorderlies or fights or assaults from some of the licensed establishments, so that's why we tend to spend as much time as we can there. I think this year it definitely paid off."
Some officers were able to enjoy the festivities of Frontier Days. Gordon and other RCMP members participated in the Kiddies Day Parade, Frontier Days Parade, and attended the Swift Current Comprehensive High School's graduation.
"To be able to be involved in the community, and to be able to interact with people in a little bit of a different manner than sometimes they get otherwise, we're certainly pleased to do that," he said. "It's good for our members, police officers, to experience that side of the community as well."
