Coquitlam Mounties - mounted on bikes, not horses - will be tweeting along with followers on Canada Day.
"The advantage of being on a bike is that I'm more in tune with my surroundings," said Const. Jamie Phillipson in a release. "A lot of bad guys don't expect police officers on bicycles in this part of the Lower Mainland and we show up when we are least expected."
Phillipson said being on a bike means he can go places that an officer in a vehicle can't, providing an important role in the detachment's crime reduction strategy.
Phillipson and Const. Michelle Luca will be tweeting from twitter.com/cgrcmp from 2 p.m. to midnight using hashtag #CanadaDayTwt.
In other police news:
SUMMER SAFETY
Planning to cool off at the lake this long weekend? If so, you can expect to see an increased Coquitlam RCMP presence on the local beaches, including Buntzen Lake, Pitt Lake and Indian Arm.
"We are not trying to rain on your summer festivities in the great outdoors," said Cpl. Jamie Chung. "Our goal is to keep everyone safe on both land and in water."
Police offered the following safety tips:
Don't push your limits in the water - many drownings have been the result of fatigue and being too far from shore. Fatigue, sun, wind and boat motion can dull your senses and impair fine motor skills and judgement.
Boaters, tubers and swimmers should wear life jackets.
Before a day of boating (with the Pleasure Craft Operator Card), make sure the boat has enough life jackets for everyone on board.
Drinking and driving, whether on land or water, is illegal and punishable under the Criminal Code.
Don't step in fast-moving water deeper than the length of your arm, or you risk being pushed face first into the water if your foot gets stuck.
Drivers should be alert for kids arriving or leaving school at varying times as summer approaches. Playground speed limits are in effect year-round.
Be alert for signs that kids are playing nearby - such as a hockey net on the road - and watch for children dashing into the street.
NAME THAT HORSE
The RCMP want Canadian youth to name that horse - well, six of them, actually.
The national police force is asking children and youth aged 14 and under to name the six foals that will be born soon at the breeding farm in Pakenham, Ontario, some of which may one day be part of the world-famous Musical Ride. Names must begins with the letter "K" and be six letters or less.
Only one entry per child is eligible, and online submissions must be received by July 8.
Wining names will be chosen by instructors of the RCMP Musical Ride Branch and announced in September.
Visit www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/mr-ce/foal-poulain-eng.htm for details and to enter.
