Ascension : Police Activity Report
Submitted by The Islander (Police Ascension) 12.02.2009 (Article Archived on 26.02.2009)

Since our last report, the speeding enforcement campaign in the Georgetown and US Base area resulted in five drivers being dealt with

Since our last report, the speeding enforcement campaign in the Georgetown and US Base area resulted in five drivers being dealt with for speeding, one for failing to comply with a traffic sign and one for a lighting offence.

Two persons were breath tested and are currently under investigation.

During the morning of Monday 2^nd February 2009, a car left the road in Georgetown and collided with a house, there was minor damage to the car.  Unfortunately, the driver suffered a heart attack and lost control of the car.  Tragically, the driver died as a result.  Police send their condolences to the family.

Over the last week, residents of Ascension may have noticed a team of Dogs and their Handlers carrying out searches.  They were a team of Specialist Police Search Dogs flown in from the UK to help in the search for Mrs Iva Henry.

They are pictured here with Sgt Sismey.  The dogs found the heat and terrain hard going, and all returned to the UK with some form of injury.  

SPEEDING

Several people have asked me about evidence required to prosecute an offence of speeding.  Many people, especially young people are of the opinion that the only way they can be prosecuted is by use of the Police ‘Speed gun’.  They are kidding themselves.

The ‘Speed gun’ currently being used by the Ascension Police is calibrated and valid until June 2009 and the evidence gained with it may be acceptable by the court.

However, there are other methods of bringing a speeding prosecution to court, without the use of the ‘Speed gun’.

The evidence of Two Police Officers that the vehicle was speeding may be accepted by the court.  (This does not require the use of any equipment whatsoever)

The evidence of One Police Officer backed up by the Speedometer reading in the Police Car he/she is driving, or some other form or recording equipment calibrated or not.

The time it takes a vehicle to travel a set marked distance on a road.

There are many more methods using various types of speed detection devices that are not currently available to the Police on Ascension.

Remember the 20 MPH Speed Restriction applies to all built up areas not just the main roads i.e. the asphalt roads in and around the buildings in Georgetown.

Speed may be classed as dangerous even though the vehicle is not exceeding the speed limit.  For instance, a vehicle cutting round a blind bend could be classed as dangerous even if it was only travelling at 10 MPH.

Why do we bother: In the UK in 2008 your chances of being killed on the roads was 22000 to one, on Ascension Island in 2008 your chances of being killed on the roads was 1000 to one. 

Young drivers who question this do not necessarily read these articles, perhaps their parent will pass this information on to them.

Dave SISMEY

Sergeant

Ascension Island Police    

9^th February 2009.