Vernon bylaw officers come to the rescue
They often receive grief from local residents for writing parking tickets.
But there’s a lot more to Vernon’s bylaw officers than just enforcing parking infractions.
Like helping diffuse two potential assault situations in the downtown core two days apart.
“As many people are aware the bylaw officers are ambassadors for public safety for the City of Vernon while doing their duties related to bylaw enforcement,” said Vernon RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk.
Shortly before 5 p.m. March 12, two bylaw officers were patrolling 30th Avenue when they witnessed an alleged assault taking place between a pregnant 19-year-old woman and her boyfriend.
“It appeared the disturbance was starting to escalate so they felt they needed to become involved so she didn’t get hurt,” said Molendyk.
The bylaw officers parked their vehicle and called the police. They were able to stop any further assault and kept the two apart until the RCMP arrived and arrested the male suspect who is in his mid 20s and known to police.
He was released from custody on conditions to stay away from the woman.
Two days later, at around 2 p.m., as he was conducting his parking duties, another officer noticed an assault taking place between an intoxicated man and an elderly gentleman.
The bylaw officer got involved, and was able to flag down an RCMP officer and assisted in the arrest of the intoxicated male.
“The suspect went to police cells and the elderly gentleman went on his way,” said Molendyk.
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