HAVE VAN ‘sill travel is the motto of Constable Frank Pitts and other ACMP officers belonging to the north's photo radar unit Based in Prince George, Pitts and his van are in the area patrolling the high- ways in the search for speeders. 4 Lufthansa and others. f you aren't a member of Aeroplan, sign u May 20 and June 27, and you'll automatically be entered to win Weekly prizes: What's more, every time you My AirBC? you're entere * Qualifying flights must be published farcs on AdrAC, Central Mountain Alrar Alberta Caylink, excluding Mghts betwe 18 ycars and older who are residents uf BC ail Alberta. Nan-Acroplan menibers nust enroll in order to qualify, Gratid ticket counter for contest cules. Members must carrectly answee a skill testing question, Other conditions apply: ge ate, The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, May 28, 1997 - A9 Smile. Your ticket will be in DRIVERS WHO noticed the glinting reflection of the photo radar van parked at various locations in the area this week were probably quick enough to slow down before being captured on film. But those going over the limit by 15km can still expect a photo of their vehicle in the mail in about two weeks. RCMP Constable Frank Pitts had his van set up along those stretches of highway where large numbers of acci- denis take place. These locations are determined by the RCMP and members of a local traffic safety committee. “‘We set up where there is a high his- tory of accidents and complaints. When drivers see the van, they are likely to slow down, That way there is likely to be far less damage going at 90km an hour as opposed to 140km,’’explained Pilts. Being highly visible is a key objective of the RCMP — and the provincial government in promoting photo radar — as secing the van often makes speeders slow down. For those caught speeding, fines be- gin at $100 and increase to $150 if drivers exceed the posted speed limit by 40km an hour. The ticket goes to the registered owner of the vehicle, no matter who the OR TO HONG KONG, OR TO LOS ANGELES, OR... Win the AirBC "Miles and Miles" promotion and 120,000 Aeroplan miles could be yours. Grand Prize: Win 120,000 Aevoplan miles and redeem them as you wish. Use them companions and head to California. In fact, you can go anywhere in Air Canada’s world. You can even redeem them [or travel on Acroplan partner airlines such as United Airlines, p when you check in for your next flight or call Air Canada Aeroplan. Take three or more flights on AirBC* between the Grand Prize of 120,000 Aeroplan miles. d to win one of six getaway vacations for two to one of the West’s most popular destinations. The weekly draws could be your chance to enjoy a romantic weekend at a scenic spot along the coast or tucked away in the mountains. Just think, with a few flights to Kelowna, Victoria, Prince George or Fort McMurray, you may be on your way to an exciting holiday. en Vancouver Calgary, Vancouver Edmonton, Edmonton-Calgary aru! Cal gary-Saskatoon. Contest apen to all Acroplan metibers prize draw on July 3t, 1997. As per the Aeroplan member guide, Aeroplars miles have no cash value. Yislt any parielpating airline the mail person driving was. It is now common practice for car rental companies to keep the credit card line open for a pe- riod of time in case a ticket is issued during the time of vehicle loan. In just one hour last week, the photo radar unit used by Pitts captured on film six per cent of the vehicles heading north on the flat stretch of road on Hwy37, past Gruchy’s Beach. This is already below average from drivers in Prince George. “The geography has to be right. We can’t set up at a comer or a hill, be- cause that would give us a false reading of the speed,’”’ said Pitts who sets up his van in a single place for about an hour. When asked about the aumbers of disputed tickets to date, Pitts said only 60 drivers of 600 tickets issued as of April 1 made challenges. And of those tickets challenged, just two were dis- missed. The $100,000 photo radar unit use a higher frequency beam than conven- tional radar, and can take up to three photos per second. While the unit is capable of taking pictures of vehicles travelling in both directions, for the time being, the RCMP speed camera operators will not be taking pictures of on coming vehicles until later this sum- mer. Customs power could increase CUSTOMS OFFICERS based in Stewart may one day have expanded powers of arrest. Although legislation introduced by the federal government to give customs officers arrest powers un- der the criminal code died when the election was called, it may be reintroduced when the new parliament sils. Customs officers already have arrest and seizure authorily under customs and excise legislation. But customs official Miche! Cleroux says officers regularly run across instances where additional powers would ‘| come in handy. ‘Suspected impaired drivers try to cross, there are child abduction cases, some people have outstanding arrest warrants and there are cases of suspected stolen property,’’ he said. ‘Yn a three-year period our officers recorded 7,328 suspected impaired drivers. Now that’s compared to 350 million crossings during that period but one (suspected impaired driver) is too many,’ Cleroux added, Customs officers now call the RCMP or other local police forces when suspected criminal code of- fences are encountered but having arrest powers will help, he said. Although customs officers do encounter people trying to smuggle weapons into Canada, the plan for arrest powers stops short of arming customs officers, “The decision was that by arming officers, it could raise the level of potential violence,’’ said Cleroux. “Pm not aware of one case where an officer died in the line of duty where, if armed, that officer wouldn’t have died,’’ he said. The legislation is still subject to examination by par- liament. That process will be delayed if a federal elec- tion is called soon as the bill will die when parliament dissolves during the election period. Cleroux estimates it will take up to nine months to in- troduce expanded arrest powers if and when the legis- jation is passed, Customs posts will also have to have holding cells built to contain people until they can be picked up by police. AEROPLAN @) for a trip for two to Paris. Go off by yourself'to Hong Kong, Or gather up three other airBC @ in cooperation with Central Mountain Air i. Crime is making an impact on our communities whether one looks to the senseless murder Lawlessness is no longer confined to bigger cities. committed by juveniles in Prince Rupert or the widely reported stalking/assault case in Terrace. A Reform government will: enact a Victims’ Bill of Rights that puts the rights of law-abicling | Canadians ahead of those of criminals. * Reform the parole system and abolish early release for first-degree murderers. * Repeal the Liberals’ costly firearms registry (Bill C-68) and replace it with » | meaningful laws to fight criminal use of guns. * Replace the Young Offenders Act with measures that hold young criminals - accountable for their actions. Re-elect z Mike Scott C2c-2277 Ne for Skeena Authe nized by Justin Rigsby, official Agent