Media Release
DATE: October 17th, 2018
SUBJECT: Legalization of Cannabis
The legalization of recreational cannabis is here. Over the past few months we have received numerous inquiries from the community asking how we intend to deal with what is surely one of the most controversial changes to criminal law since Prohibition.
As a police agency our primary concern has always been public safety, and keeping our roads safe is certainly an important part of that. Upon checking the Mothers Against Drunk Driving website (www.madd.ca), the facts are still quite startling when they note; “3.5 Canadians are killed in alcohol and/or drug-related motor vehicle crashes” each day.
The PMPD currently has 60% of our members trained in Roadside Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST), in addition to a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE).
In reality, not much has changed in the way our patrol officers will continue to go about doing their jobs, as it relates to the detection of impairment in drivers. Whether it is impairment by alcohol OR drug, we promise to continue our “zero tolerance” approach to impaired driving.
As always, our members will continue to be out on the streets, diligently conducting road checks in search of alcohol and drug impaired drivers. In anticipation of the changes in law we have scheduled a number of Impaired Driving Road Blocks over the coming weeks to help get the word out that we are committed to removing any impaired drivers from our streets.
We at the Port Moody Police Department ask our residents to remain mindful of the serious risks involved in all forms of impaired driving as we all wade into “uncharted territory.” If you choose to use Cannabis in any form or have a few drinks, please plan a safe ride home.
Released by,
Cst. Jason Maschke
Community Relations Officer
Port Moody Police Department
Email: media@portmoodypolice.com
3051 St Johns Street
Port Moody, BC V3H 2C4
Office 604-461-3456
Fax: 604-937-1311