SNOOPING PAYS OFF

Drugs and all they bring are the next challenge for Penticton

Short of putting a policeman on every street corner, public participation is
the surest way of making a dent in crime.

When neighbours take an interest in what's happening next door, burglars no
longer have the opportunity of breaking a window and making off with
belongings in the middle of the day.

Criminals are notorious cowards and they won't take a risk if they suspect
their nefarious actions are likely to be detected by a well-meaning snoop
next door.

Figures from Penticton RCMP tell us as much. Crime prevention co-ordinator
Gordon Flebbe says the detachment has had phenomenal response from Crime
Stopppers, which got up and running locally in 1994.

Since then, 1,827 tips have resulted in 362 cases being cleared, 419
arrests, the recovery of $1.3 million worth of stolen property and the
seizure of almost $4 million worth of illegal drugs.

It's not only eagle-eyed residents who help. Crooks invariably brag about
their ill-gotten gains - sometimes to companions all too willing to trade
the information for a reward of up to $2,000. Other times, when crime
colleagues quarrel, they'll rat on their former pals out of spite.

That's not to say Penticton RCMP deserve no credit. They've deployed their
resources where they're most needed and are working with landlords to reduce
the chance marijuana grow operations will sprout up in the city.

Together, the police and ordinary citizens are making a difference.

The challenge now are drugs - which are just as common in the Peach City as
they are in Vancouver.

A nasty scourge, drugs not only ruin lives but prompt the weak to engage in
other criminal activities, like theft. This is one battle that has yet to be
won by Penticton.