WHERE TO POLICE TOUGH FOR RCMP

Trustee Kim Van Tine says police are not enforcing the laws when it comes
to a "crack house" near the intersection of 10th Avenue and Douglas Street.

He said neighbours have witnessed constant traffic, reckless driving,
fighting and prostitution in the area, which is close to three schools and
two day-care centres. When they complain to police, nothing seems to be
done, he said.

Van Tine seems to have taken on the role of spokesman for the neighbourhood
without fully understanding the limitations of the RCMP. It's doubtful
Kamloops RCMP are purposely ignoring criminal activity on the streets of
the city. Officers are generally eager to shut down crack houses.

However, like most every other business or agency, the RCMP has limited
resources. Police officers cannot be everywhere in the city at the same
time. The RCMP also must respect the rights of citizens, according to the
laws of the land. They have to have a pretty good suspicion that someone is
engaging in illegal behaviour before they start hauling them in for
questioning.

They are also not allowed to break into a house, hunting for drugs without
a search warrant. To get a search warrant, they need evidence. Without all
that, they can be assured of a scolding in court if they take an
ill-prepared case before a judge.

Neighbours across the city likely witness reckless driving, fights,
suspected drug trafficking and prostitution. It's unrealistic to expect
police to always be on hand to arrest the culprits.

If that's what the citizens of Kamloops want, then they should let their
municipal politicians know they are prepared to accept a sizable tax
increase to allow for the hiring of more police officers. So far, that is
not the message taxpayers have been sending.

In the meantime, the local RCMP authorities may have to redistribute their
resources to ensure there is increased police presence in this area of
Douglas Street and 10 Avenue. But residents, along with Van Tine, must
realize that will mean a reduction in policing in other areas of the city.

Try as they might, police officers cannot be visible in every troubled area
in a city the size of Kamloops.