ADDICTS PROPEL RISE IN CRIME

Kamloops is losing ground in the war against drugs, says the city's
top cop.

RCMP Supt. Andy Murray said the number of violent crimes rose in
Kamloops in 2000. There were more armed robberies and property crimes
than in 1999, something that can be attributed to drugs.

Murray said drug addictions fuel crime as addicts look for cash. As a
result, city residents suffer more petty thefts and more serious crime.

"There is a direct link between drug abuse and crime in the
community," Murray said.

There has also been an increase in the number of marijuana grow
operations in the city over the past few years, Murray said, and the
city officers can no longer keep a lid on the growth of the marijuana
industry.

"We are slipping behind on the drug side," he said. "There's more out
there than we can handle."

Despite that, city residents should not feel hopeless. The city RCMP
is working hard to reallocate resources in a way that will better deal
with the emerging drug problems. As well, the department is looking at
new ways to deal with the root causes of drug abuse in the community.

Programs such as the RCMP's anti-drug DARE program are designed to
give children the tools they need to say no to drugs. As well,
neighbourhood offices and new community policing programs are being
implemented to allow the public more opportunity to "partner" with
police and curb crime, he said.

But illegal drugs are not the Kamloops RCMP's sole focus, Murray said.
Residents are also concerned about youth violence, domestic violence
and property-related issues such as vandalism and graffiti.

Plans are under way to deal with those issues as best as staffing will
allow, he said.

The city will field 100 police officers in 2001 -- 10 to 15 more than
in 2000. But that is still short of the 118 officers a city the size
of Kamloops should have, he said. City council recently agreed to
increase the budget to allow for 100 officers -- four short of the
approved contingency of 104.

The increased police force in 2001 will not necessarily mean more
police on the street at any given time. It will mean officers will
work less overtime, Murray said. That will allow officers to do their
job without facing constant burnout. As well, there will be more time
to devote to investigation of some serious historical crimes.

The New Year will also see improvements to policing infrastructure in
the city. An expansion of the detachment headquarters is under way,
Murray said.

As well, it's expected the city force will convert from a radio-based
dispatch system to a in-car computer-based system. The change will
mean officers will spend more time on the street and less time in the
office writing reports, he said. As well, it will allow for more
effective delivery of important information about calls.

Murray said he would also like to see increases in the size of the
volunteer auxiliary police force.