CUMBERLAND CITIZENS FIGHTING AGAINST CRIME

Meeting Tomorrow To Discuss Problems, Solutions

Concerned citizens in Cumberland are working with the RCMP to develop
strategies to reduce the amount of crime--primarily break-ins,
vandalism and drug activity--occurring in the small Village.

The initiative comes after a number of break-ins in recent months,
particularly to some of the businesses on and around the main downtown
street.

"Six per cent of the people cause 90 per cent of the problem," said
RCMP Staff Sgt. Derald Lewis. "In that community, it's just a small
amount of people who are creating some problems.

"We've been up there a lot lately and we will continue to be up there.
But there has to be community involvement, that's what it's all about.
Everybody has to get together and approach the problem from all
different angles."

Cumberland residents, business owners, Mayor Fred Bates, RCMP
Inspector Tom Gray and Lewis have all met to discuss the level of
criminal activity as well as strategies that could be used to reduce
it.

"The people we met with are very good, they've come up with some
solutions we will assist them in working to resolve," said Lewis. "It
was actually a very, very good meeting."

Cumberland resident Grace Doherty, one of the concerned citizens
involved in the talks, said: "We want to draw the line at what's
acceptable and not acceptable in the community. We talked about, at
the very least, not enabling this type of activity."

Some of the strategies being talked about have had good success in
other communities, including the City of Courtenay.

Strategies include going to all the homes within a block or two of a
house at which criminal activity has been known to occur to inform
neighbours about the situation. That allows nearby homeowners both to
be more vigilant about monitoring criminal activity in the area and
also to take steps to ensure their own safety.

They may also produce flyers with tips on protecting homes or
businesses from break-ins, increase the number of volunteers for the
Citizens on Patrol Society and possibly have groups walk the streets
during times of high-crime activity in an attempt to dissuade the behaviour.

"We're looking at a number of ways to approach the issue, all of them
safe and non-confrontational for citizens, but hopefully involving the
larger community in general crime prevention strategies," said Doherty.

In support of the crime reduction activity, Cumberland council agreed
at yesterday's council meeting to adopt a no tolerance policy for a
number of relatively minor crimes such as driving uninsured vehicles,
vandalism, property damage and intimidation.

"There are other things we plan on doing," said Mayor Fred Bates,
while also emphasizing that the level of crime in the Village is no
higher than it is in other jurisdictions.

"This is one baseline to say we've drawn the line in the sand, if you
will, to say that we are not going to tolerate crime in our community."

An RCMP constable is expected to attend the next meeting of the
Cumberland Resident's Association, tomorrow (Wednesday) at 7 p.m.,
where these issues will be discussed. The meeting is at the United
Church hall at First and Penrith and is open to all.