On October 12, Cst. Kristi Hill of the Elk Valley Detachment RCMP visited the Fernie Academy in full dress regalia to recognise this year’s grand prize winner of the “Caught Being Good” bicycle safety initiative. That lucky nine-year-old, Katya Zanozin, received a gift certificate for $600 to be used at the Guides Hut to purchase a new bike.
Katya’s name was drawn from among 90 other youth entrants in the contest which ran from September 2 to October 10 to encourage safe bicycle practices within the community of Fernie. “Public response to the program was overwhelming,” said Cpl. Don Erichsen. “Kids and adults were excited about the program and were seeking police officers out in the community hoping to be caught being good. We even had reports from some parents of their children insisting on being allowed to ride their bikes during inclement weather because they did not want to miss an opportunity to be seen setting a positive example for others in their community.”
Katya was recognized for her achievement in front of her peers at the Fernie Academy and her classmates shared in her good fortune as each received an ice cream treat from Dairy Queen and McDonald’s Restaurants.
“Make no mistake, this program was a success because of the sponsors who supported the program,” said Erichsen. “If it were not for the people at Falkins Insurance, East Kootenay Insurance, The Beanpod Chocolate Shop, The Toronto Dominion Bank and Fernie Chiropractic Clinic, the youth program would not have happened and we would not have seen the improvements in safety practices that have occurred.”
Not to be overlooked, the adult role model who was recognized by the program for their efforts to set a good example for others was also recognized by the RCMP at the Fernie Detachment office. Gabrielle Hogan of Fernie, B.C., was the proud winner of a night’s stay at the Island Lake Lodge, dinner for two at the Brickhouse Restaurant and two day passes to the Fernie Alpine Resort.