#nogoodway to use the R-word

There are not many words in the English language as offensive as ‘retard,’ when used in the context of labeling people with intellectual disabilities.

According to the Canadian Association for Community Living, 899,000 people in Canada have an intellectual disability; that’s just over 2.5 per cent of the population. Odds are, each one of us is related to, or knows someone, with an intellectual disability. Although most people don’t mean any harm when they use the R-word, it is bullying—plain and simple.

The Edmonton Police Service is joining the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, Special Olympics Canada and Motionball to eliminate the use of the R-word in everyday conversation. YELLOWCARD Day, held annually on October 8th, brings attention to the cause through social media using #nogoodway. This year, Edmonton Police Service is taking part in the campaign to show support for Special Olympics and for all persons with intellectual disabilities.

You can show your support by dropping by City Hall on October 8th at 10:00 a.m. and joining others in taking the pledge to stop using the R-word. The first 50 people arriving at the event will get a free Yellowcard t-shirt. If you can’t make it to the event, please visit http://ift.tt/1oAngP8 and take the pledge online. Be YELLOWCARD ambassadors—because there is #nogoodway to use the R-word!

Members of the media are invited to attend the event where October 8th will be proclaimed Yellow Card Day in Edmonton. Following the proclamation, guest speakers will take the pledge and in unison, all attendees will symbolically rip the R-word from their vocabulary.

BACKGROUND ON YELLOWCARD DAY:

• On October 1, 2014, Motionball launched their national anti-bullying initiative, the YELLOWCARD campaign, with the goal of eliminating the casual use of the R-word (retard) in everyday conversation amongst young professionals in Canada.
• Motionball: "We want to let people know that even when it’s used in a way that seems harmless, benign or even positive, the truth is there is #nogoodway to use the R-Word."
• The campaign is named ‘Yellowcard’ because a yellow card in soccer is meant as a warning to let offending players know that they have crossed a line.
• To date, over 11,000 people have taken the online pledge.
• This year, Motionball, Special Olympics Canada, and the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police are asking Canadians to spread the word and encourage their friends, family and co-workers to eliminate the R-word from their vocabulary and take the pledge.
• Edmonton Police Service’s Yellowcard campaign will use social media (#nogoodway) to encourage citizens to wear yellow on October 8th, take a photo, take the pledge and Tweet it to their friends.
• http://ift.tt/1jQxz5U
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1srxDzF34A8
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKFoPGwp02A (Toronto Police)
  
  On October 1, 2014, Motionball launched their national anti-bullying initiative, the YELLOWCARD campaign, with the goal of eliminating the casual use of the R-word (retard) in everyday conversation amongst young professionals in Canada.

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Man facing multiple charges for spree of parking garage B & Es

Southwest Division investigators have arrested and charged a 39-year-old Edmonton man in connection with a series of apartment parking garage break and enters that began back in June.

Bryan Keown, 39, is facing 26 charges with respect to seven break and enters that occurred between June and most recently on Friday, Oct. 2, 2015.

The arrest marked an extensive four-month investigation involving the collaborative efforts of members in SW Criminal Investigations Section, SW Patrol Support Team, SW Intel Team and Whyte Avenue Beats.

Keown is charged with possession of stolen property under $5,000 (x 7), possession of break and enter instruments (x 5), breach of recognizance (x 5), break and enter (x 4), disguise with intent (x 2), theft under $5,000, theft of mail and mischief.

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Woman charged in Sept. 2nd traffic fatality

A 61-year-old Edmonton woman has been charged with careless driving in connection with the Sept. 2, 2015 collision that claimed the life of one of her passengers.

Investigators believe a Honda Civic that Candace Patricia Gairdner was driving northbound on 82 Street at around 11 a.m. that day, travelled through a red light and collided with a westbound Jeep in the intersection at 122 Avenue. The Honda Civic is also alleged to have subsequently collided with another vehicle that was stopped at the red light and in the southbound lane of 82 Street.

Two female passengers from the Civic were treated and taken to hospital by paramedics, where a 64-year-old woman succumbed to her injuries. The male driver of the Jeep was also taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

This was Edmonton’s 26^th traffic fatality of 2015. As of today, Tuesday, Oct. 6^th, a total of 29 people have been killed in traffic collisions.

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Police request public’s assistance in locating missing senior

The Edmonton Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance in locating an 86-year-old Edmonton man.

Ronald Holgate was last seen by staff at his long-term care facility, 17 Avenue and Rabbit Hill Road, at approximately 11 a.m., Monday, Oct. 5, 2015.

The senior suffers from dementia, and has a history of going missing on occasion.

Anyone who has information about Mr. Holgate’s whereabouts is asked to contact the EPS at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone. Anonymous information can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at http://ift.tt/1az8Eve.

Missing: Ronald Holgate, 86

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Robbery suspect arrested

On Monday, Oct. 5, 2015 at approximately 3:30 p.m., police responded to a gas station in the area of 61 Street and 101 Avenue on a report of a robbery.

The male suspect, who is alleged to have used a weapon during the occurrence, fled the area prior to the arrival of police.

Responding officers and EMS personnel located an injured male within the store, along with several witnesses.

Southeast Division patrol officers and a police service dog searched the immediate neighbourhood while additional search efforts were underway. Just after 5 p.m., police were able to locate and arrest the suspect near 101 Street and Jasper Avenue.

The service station clerk sustained an injury during the alleged robbery and was treated by EMS and taken to hospital. At this time, the injuries are believed to be non-life threatening.

EPS Robbery Section detectives were called-out to continue the investigation.

Leyion Twoyoungmen, 20, of Edmonton is now facing charges of robbery, aggravated assault, possession of a weapon, and breach of probation.

Police encourage anyone who has information about this or any other crimes to contact the Edmonton Police Service at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone. Anonymous information can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at http://ift.tt/1az8Eve.

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Police charge excessive speeder in school zone

The Edmonton Police Service is once again warning motorists to slow down in school zones after a blue Dodge Ram was found travelling 122 km/h in a 30 km/h school zone yesterday afternoon.

On Friday, Oct. 2, 2015 at approximately 2:20 p.m., West Division officers were conducting a speed enforcement blitz in the area 95 Avenue and 153 Street. 

A 25-year-old male was caught travelling four times the speed limit in a school zone where children and others were present.

“This is extremely concerning,” said Staff Sergeant Barry Maron with West Division. “This individual is very lucky that no one was hurt as a result of his thoughtless actions.”

Brodie Rae Christensen, 25, who possesses a graduated driver’s license, was issued a mandatory court summons and was charged with dangerous driving under the Criminal Code and careless driving under the Traffic Safety Act.

Christensen is expected to appear in court on Nov. 2, 2015.

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Major Collision Unit investigating delivery truck hit and run

Major Collision Investigation Unit is seeking the public’s assistance in locating the driver of a delivery truck in connection with "the hit-and-run collision of a senior citizen in southeast Edmonton Thursday morning.

Southeast Division patrol members responded to the Sobeys parking lot at 3819 34 St., in the neighbourhood of Meadowbrook, at approximately 10:15 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 1, 2015.

It was reported to police that an 81-yr-old complainant was riding his bicycle southbound through the parking lot near the grocery store’s loading dock, when he was struck by a white, five-ton truck that was reversing. 

The driver is alleged to have left the scene driving onto 38 Avenue.

Anyone who has information about this collision is asked to call 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone. Anonymous information can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at http://ift.tt/1az8Eve.

from Media Releases http://ift.tt/1JKRwA2