I am disappointed with the RCMP choosing to approach and charge a resident’s son for attempting to pull his ATV out of a snowbank after attempting to be a caring and thoughtful citizen.
While caring residents are out shovelling their neighbour's sidewalks and pushing, pulling and boosting other people's stuck vehicles, the RCMP appear to be more interested in driving around in their nice warm vehicles just looking for an opportunity to frustrate a helping citizen and giving them tickets for what they believe is an unsafe act.
Just think how much more positive the front page article would have been with a picture showing the officers helping to free a snowbound ATV or car. It would appear that anyone who is caught pulling, pushing or parking beside a vehicle or giving it a boost is now guilty of an offence. What's next? Tickets for no licence plates on snow blowers or ticketing a person for giving a helping hand in the middle of the road? Obviously from the RCMP perspective it would appear that it makes more sense just to leave vehicles stranded in the middle of the roads and stop all traffic movement altogether.
The RCMP should admit that the situation was probably poorly handled from the beginning and drop all charges. These are snowy times that require a little more understanding.
Gordon Shopland, St. Albert
