Mission RCMP staked out the largest mall complex in the city after complaints about drivers doing stunts.
And officers ended up nailing several people for their reckless behaviour.
People had been telling police about problems with drivers at the Junction Shopping Centre, which has a large parking lot.
“Unfortunately, a small contingent of irresponsible drivers have made some mall visitors feel unsafe, revving their engines and spinning their tires, leaving large patches of burnt rubber all over the large parking lot,” said an RCMP news release.
Police then staked out the mall lot looking for drivers doing stunts, which includes causing your tires to lose traction while you’re turning (burning rubber or doing a brake stand), causing any of your tires to lift up (doing a wheelie), or driving in a manner that causes your vehicle to spin (doing doughnuts).
Doing any of these things will get you both a ticket and a seven-day impound.
• On Sept. 30, a woman was ‘car-surfing’ on top of a vehicle in the mall parking lot when she fell off while the car was moving, causing serious injuries.
• On Oct. 13, in the middle of the afternoon, a witness called after she was almost struck by two motorcycles racing around – one of which tried to drive up a small flight of stairs and crashed. Both bikes were impounded.
• On Oct. 14, a witness reported about 20 vehicles driving recklessly in the mall parking lot. Police attended and cleared out the group, but observed one pickup truck driving around with four people in the box of the truck, leading to the driver receiving a ticket for driving without consideration; numerous other drivers have also been ticketed or had their vehicles impounded for similar reckless driving behaviour.
“The residents of Mission are fortunate to have such a large open area where they can meet up with friends, have a meal, and show off their rides,” said Const. Harrison Mohr with Mission RCMP, in a statement. “But it’s important that everyone be respectful of others, and of the property itself. Dangerous driving is not acceptable day or night.”
Rules of the road also apply to public parking lots, and that officers do not have to personally observe an infraction themselves in order to take enforcement action.
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A detailed statement from a witness combined with other evidence is often sufficient to support a charge under the Motor Vehicle Act, and in fact many of the recent enforcement actions taken at the mall are the result of members of the public calling us with vehicle descriptions or license plates.
“So just remember – even if you don’t see a police officer around, it doesn’t mean that someone else may not have their cell phone camera out, recording you before calling us,” said police.
Anyone who does witness someone driving dangerously should call 911. After-the-fact reports can be made to Mission RCMP at 604-826-7161.
@shinebox44
chris.campbell@missioncityrecord.com
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