It was a sea of red and blue serge at the Crapaud Actiplex on Saturday as the community hosted RCMP Day and the famous Musical Ride.
Hundreds poured into the arena to see the Mounties perform their mounted show.
But those in attendance also got a closer look at the role of the RCMP on P.E.I. Several booths and information displays were set up inside the Actiplex in an effort to educate the public about the many duties and services offered by local RCMP units.
Cpl. Barry Russell, who helped organize the event, said many Islanders are not aware of the diverse duties performed by the RCMP.
"So we just wanted to show people what services we can offer and do offer - and that when the proverbial tragedy does happen, we're able to respond to it."
He said educating the public about the programs and services offered by the RCMP helps to increase confidence in the officers.
"By people coming here today - coming to these displays and telling us how they feel about us as an organization - I think it goes a long way to give us confidence that we have the public's good will.
"And when people come and they tell us that they have confidence in us, it really is an inspiration."
One of the most popular displays was the forensic identification table. Cpl. Doug Spencer, one of only two forensic detectives on P.E.I., showed children and their parents how he performs fingerprint comparisons and looks for trace evidence when at crime scenes.
Paige LeClair, 14, from New Haven was especially impressed with this display.
"It's really cool how they solve the crimes and the different things they have to do. It's really interesting."
LeClair, who is interested in forensic investigation as a possible future career, said she had no idea P.E.I. had a forensics unit like the one in the TV show CSI.
"I just thought the police did basic jobs, not really all the science stuff. But it's so cool!"
It was also a day of recognition for military personnel. Guests of honour were Cpl. Tyler Coady, wounded in Afghanistan, and Barry Mellish, father of Frank Mellish, who died in Afghanistan.
Musical Ride thrills Crapaud
Musical Ride thrills Crapaud
- Published on August 20, 2007
- Published on June 15, 2010
-
Teresa Wright
- Number of views : 238
- Rate
- Top of the page
Comments
-
- J
- - June 21, 2010 at 21:30:48
Comment regarding RCMP Musical Ride contains a typo. Should have read: The RCMP Musical Ride was also beautifully performed in the rain in Alberton, Prince County (west of Charlottetown) Prince Edward Island.
Not spelling a place name correctly could mean real trouble to the media as they would never recognize it as an Island Community. -
- Zach
- - June 21, 2010 at 20:48:11
Gasp!
Go west of Summerside.... or even east of Charlottetown?
My goodness gracious Tiff, but that would put me near ''those'' people...
Y'know, the ones who come into one of the cities on Friday evenings with mud on their rainboots to walk around on the freshly scrubbed tile floors in the County Fair Mall or the Charlottetown Mall, and then sit in their pickup trucks by the Burger King, watching everyone else in their pickup trucks driving by.
Say it isn't so.
Drive to ''up west'' or ''down east''? That's like taking your life in your own hands when you are a sheltered privileged townie like me.
The universe simply could not exist beyond Granville Street or University Avenue. -
- J
- - June 21, 2010 at 20:43:38
This note is directed to the Guardian:
The RCMP Musical Ride was also beautifully performed in the rain in Alblerton, Prince County (West of Charlottetown) Prince Edward Island!!!!!!!!!!! -
- Zach
- - June 21, 2010 at 20:42:20
What's this, the Musical Ride performed in Alberta? Alblerta? Flablerta?.....
Oh, you meant Alberton. Where is that exactly?
I thought PEI only existed between Charlottetown and Summerside. I guess little itsy bitsy places like Crapaud fall in there though.
But I never heard of this Alberton or Alblerton place... -
- Tiff
- - June 21, 2010 at 20:38:42
WOW #3, I think you might have to explore the island a tad bit more, U seem very uneducated about this island you call home, Just to let you know Alberton is a very nice little town, Maybe insted of being blinded by the city of charlottetown you should take a little trip up to the west end of the island, And then down to the east!
