 Bev Rogers and Jack Knowler were ticketed by Durham Regional Police in Ontario, while they waited for their designated driver service. (QMI/Mark Bonokoski)
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TORONTO -- A week ago Friday, Dave Selby, director of corporate communications for Durham Regional Police, wrote an e-mail with his force's "version of the truth" regarding columns here about his force laying public intoxication tickets on a number of Bowmanville bar patrons as they purportedly waited for their designated driver service.
It apparently went to junk mail and then disappeared, because I did not receive it, and nor could I find it.
And so Selby re-sent it.
In the interest of fair play, and because those columns generated more than 50,000 web hits, here is Selby's letter.
It should be noted, however, that Durham Insp. Charlie Green, head of the Bowmanville detachment, was given ample opportunity to express his force's "version of the truth" during an interview for those columns, but stuck with his force's "zero tolerance", no-discretion stance, and insisting there was "no mixed message" in ticketing people waiting for their DD.
'FURTHER DETAILS'
That said, this from Dave Selby:
"Further to your multiple columns re public intoxication tickets laid against Bev Rogers and Jack Knowler, I now feel obliged to provide further details on what our officers dealt with (on the night in question.) I also want to provide some context as to ongoing enforcement and prevention efforts in Bowmanville.
"These stories have upset many of our members, who devote so much time and effort keeping our streets safe, making sure intoxicated bar patrons get home safely and responding to multiple complaints from citizens and businesses about public intoxication, property damage and other issues.
"We feel our reputation has been damaged and that we are being depicted as sending a mixed message about drinking and driving -- that's simply not the case.
"If you are stumbling down a street drunk, that's a safety issue. The (Donato) cartoon of a DRPS cruiser on Dec. 1 also offended many of our members.
"First, some context: The DRPS has received numerous complaints from businesses and citizens in the downtown core of Bowmanville about drunken behaviour in the early morning hours. We have had several incidents of damaged property, public urination, fist fights and loud, obnoxious behaviour.
"Several locations in the community have been identified by our crime analysts, and officers from 16 Division (Bowmanville) are supplied with that information in hopes of being at the right place at the right time to enforce applicable laws.
"On that evening, and into the early morning hours, routine patrols were taking place in and around the downtown area. In the early morning hours, officers working downtown saw several people walking in an unsteady manner in the vicinity of Hanc's bar.
"One cruiser responded to a male who was urinating against the CIBC building. This male was ticketed and later driven home. The same officer saw two adults walking with unsteadiness on the sidewalk on Division St., away from the bar. Another cruiser was dispatched.
"Two officers arrived as the couple was walking southbound on the sidewalk, away from the bar. Both officers reported the couple was unsteady on their feet (staggering) and appeared to be propping each other up as they walked.
"Officers began talking with the pair and the male was reportedly belligerent and unsteady on his feet during the conversation. They determined the couple was walking to their vehicle parked nearby. Officers were concerned for their safety and wrote the public intoxication tickets. Both later pled guilty and paid their fines. Officers accompanied them to their nearby vehicle and waited with them until their designated driver arrived. Once satisfied they were not going to drive home, officers left the scene.
"Public intoxication is a safety concern not only for motorists and other citizens, but for the intoxicated persons themselves. In some cases, we've had intoxicated persons stumbling onto roads and nearly being hit by motorists. We've had instances of other intoxicated persons picking fights with each other and also starting fights with innocent citizens.
DRUNKS ATTACKED
"We've had cases where intoxicated persons were set upon by groups of teenagers/young adults, beaten and robbed of their personal belongings.
"We've also had multiple cases where intoxicated persons damaged public property, ripped up lawn signs and damaged plants, trees and street furniture.
"That night/early morning, officers did 12 street checks, issued 12 tickets, arrested five people and laid a total of six criminal charges. Seven people were given tickets for public intoxication. They also arrested a drug dealer downtown and charged him with possession for the purpose of trafficking.
"The next week, officers arrested another five people in the area, laid 11 charges, wrote nine tickets and did nine street checks.
"I'm pleased to report our efforts in the area are making a difference -- the number of fights, assaults and disturbances in the area have dropped sharply from 2008 to 2009.
"I hope this sheds a bit more light on the incident. Bowmanville is a safe and vibrant place, but there are issues late at night and in the early morning hours as patrons leave drinking establishments.
"These types of incidents are not unique. We have similar incidents in Whitby, Oshawa, Port Perry, etc. -- and other communities do as well."
MARK.BONOKOSKI@SUNMEDIA.CA OR 416-947-2445
