Dawson City Citizen's Forum

Has anyone else noticed that RCMP vehicles seem to be idling outside of buildings these days? Why when every other government agency is being asked to cut down on unnecessary emissions are the police needlessly running vehicles? If there is a legal reason or policy regarding this, let me know, I might be missing something...

RCMP vehicle idling outside buildings? Perhaps they are running because it is cold outside, during the winter....like everyone else idling their car.

Unnecessary emissions? The cops have one vehicle they drive around in, and sometimes more than one cop rides in it - sounds like they are economizing since their other vehicle was written off in a roll over (crashed in the ditch last month or so). Already, emissions are reduced by 50%.

A legal reason to leave your the truck running? Aren't cops suppose to be ready to go at a moments notice? Imagine making that 911 call, and being told - they will be there as soon as the truck warms up.

Why not call them and ask if they are policy compliant, running their only vehicle, during cold weather? Wouldn't that be better than hopelessly grasping at a new reason to bring them to shame? Or perhaps it is just a silly question to ask.

Wasn't trying to start an argument. I guess that came across agressive, my bad. I have just been noticing a few vehicles running around town and wondered if it was necessary.

The government spends money on anti-idling campaigns, and government vehicles should be setting a good example. The police cruiser is a government vehicle I have noticed idling.

"Perhaps they are running because it is cold outside, during the winter....like everyone else idling their car."

Agreed, we do idle our cars in the winter, and we shouldn't. A vehicle that has been running will start just fine if shut off temporarily. If shut off for longer periods of time, a block heater will keep the engine warm for quick starting. I don't imagine that a police cruiser is ever out of use for very long, especially if there is only one. A vehicle does not need to be running at all times to be available quickly.

Georgia has a point. At our current temperatures, there's no need to idle a vehicle at the PO or the store. If you warmed it up and drove it there, it'll be warm enough to leave for a bit.
On the other hand, it may be that there is some regulation relating to RCMP vehicles on patrol that requires them to leave it running.

So, I guess neither one of you called to ask them if there is a policy? Because it seems more fun to speculate.

Perhaps we should have them switch to propane powered vehicles? Oh wait, propane tends to gel in deep cold. We should have them buy hybrid vehicles? Oh wait, economies bad and the Feds won't even pay them the 2% increase they are owed. Look at the truck they have now to replace the one that crashed-bet they save money on that. I saw it today...it wasn't idling.

I will not debate the issue of setting an example. They are leaders in our community. What I take issue with is needlessly posting something to throw mud at the rcmp - when you could simply call and ask. How about posting why they were / are / must idle their one car (cause I don't think they are going to be driving that other one too much).

You know what? I noticed a couple of RCMP vehicles idling recently, I wondered if it was something other people had noticed or if it was just me being at the wrong place at the wrong time. My curiosity was piqued, and I wondered what the standard practices are; it was a simple question that I thought someone might know the answer to. I worded my question poorly. The classic forum error of coming out swinging.

I disagree with you that idling is a fact of life in the winter, and that is what I meant in the second half of my last post.

If you had simply responded that you don't see the trucks idling and that you see it as a non-issue, I would have accepted that. Your suggestion to call them is a good one, and I guess it just did not occur to me. I assure you, it was not my intention to sling mud at the RCMP.

> Because it seems more fun to speculate.

I guess we all have a penchant for idle speculation.;)

Jeepers! I post in support of both original postings and still catch heck for it. No mud slinging here.

....Mudslinging ?.....haven't witnessed any yet.....I do find Bill to be a tad over defensive of the RCMP.....(trying to beat a charge perhaps ? )....

a better approach would have been for me to express my desire to see less vehicles idling in general. that might have inspired more productive conversation.

we should all take dan's neutral advice and remember to shut vehicles off when we aren't using them.