FIREFIGHTER SENTENCED | Former BX member avoids jail time for missing funds [A6]
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Friday, Oct. 26, 2012
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PETERS TIRECRAFT
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City man linked to international gun ring ROGER KNOX
Morning Star Staff
An international gun smuggling investigation has resulted in the arrest of a Vernon man. The charges follow an extensive 10-month undercover investigation by B.C.’s Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEUBC) that spanned from the communities of Vernon, Penticton, Summerland, Sparwood and the Lower Mainland to Florida, Montana and Louisiana in the U.S. The allegations involve the purchase of devices that turned firearms into automatic pistols and rifles. Some of the guns were reengineered from decommissioned weapons, and investigators came across magazines that were meant to be five or 10 rounds that had been increased in capacity to 75 rounds. Close to 80 firearms, over-capacity magazines and thousands of rounds of ammunition were recovered during the investigation. Some of the weapons seized were found in Vernon. Over the weekend, CFSEU-BC executed search warrants at a residence on Mountridge Road in Vernon, as well as at homes in Penticton and a storage locker in Summerland. The suspect from Vernon was arrested in the city, and not without incident. “As the officers went to arrest the man, he allegedly pulled a handgun that he had hidden on him, and allegedly tried to take guns away from two officers,” said Sgt. Lindsey Houghton with CFSEU-BC. Simultaneous warrants were executed by American authorities, who seized an additional 10 firearms. Some of the weapons had a street value of $4,500 and, stated CFSEU-BC, likely made
CFSEU-BC PHOTO
A Vernon man has been arrested in connection with an international gun smuggling investigation, which resulted in the seizure of approximately 80 firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition. Some of the weapons seized were found in Vernon. their way to gang members. “Gang violence starts with ready access to weapons,” said Chief Officer Dan Malo with CFSEU-BC. “Depending on the type of ammunition used, the rounds for these kinds of firearms are capable of passing through
vehicles, doors, walls and even body armour. That is an unacceptable risk to the public and police.” Four Canadian men and one American woman are facing numerous gun charges. To date, Riley Stewart Kotz, 32, of Vernon
is facing 34 counts with further charges anticipated against him and the remaining individuals arrested during the investigation. Houghton said the other three Canadian men arrested are believed to be from the Penticton area.
City defends Landing decision in ongoing debate RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff
The public relations battle over Okanagan Landing’s firefighters is heating up. Just days after the Okanagan Landing Volunteer Firefighters Association held an open house to rally the public, the City of Vernon issued a release Wednesday to defend its decision to not renew the association’s contract and to have a single service model. “I firmly believe that when there’s a cooperative team working together, that will benefit all areas of the community,” said Keith Green, Vernon’s fire chief.
The release directs residents to three documents city council used to make its decision not to renew the contract (www. vernon.ca/public_safety/fire/index.html). “I hope this provides people with the opportunity to read the information and become aware,” said Green. “My door is always open and I am willing to answer questions.” The city says its integrated model includes common operating guidelines, the ability to deploy resources in a co-ordinated manner, the ability to cross-train all firefighters and a single command structure. Under the new service model, all Landing
volunteers can join the Vernon Volunteer Firefighters Association. One of the 28 has opted to do so. “The invitation is for them to service out of that (Landing) station so there’s not a lot of change for them,” said Green. The Vernon department also recently held a recruitment drive, and four volunteers are currently being trained while another four will be trained in the spring. “We will open up the application process again in the spring. There is a lot of interest,” said Green. The OKLVFA is not impressed with the city’s media release or making reports avail-
able to the public. “It would have been nice for the city to talk to us right from the get-go. The documents were first presented (to council) incamera,” said Todd Montgomery, OKLVA president. “Some of the documents are one-sided. The decisions were made based on reports written by chief Green. They didn’t hear from the Landing firefighters.” The association has launched a petition to have its contract renewed and it wants to appear before city council as a delegation. “We have arguments against a lot of chief Green’s views,” said Montgomery.
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