POLICE ACTIVE IN PREVENTING CRIME AND MORE

Two members of the Edson RCMP updated Rotary Club of Edson members on their
activities on two crime-prevention fronts August 17.

Const. Chip Paquette, speaking about the Pinegrove Rural Crimewatch, said
Rural Crime Watch (RCW) programs have been active for just under 20 years.
"It's been slow to come to the Edson area," he said, noting the program is
similar to Neighbourhood Watch programs.

"It's neighbours watching out for neighbours - people in rural areas looking
our for each other," he said.

Paquette said the transient nature associated with the RCMP often makes it
difficult for members to know the region well - and that's where RCW comes
in. "The people are a good resource and information base for us," he said,
noting well-established residents can often tell more about what's happening
in their rural area.

The new computer fanout system, which enlists the assistance of a computer
to telephone RCW members with a pre-recorded message, helps to keep Crime
Watch members informed about cases of interest to particular rural areas.

"If we can get the information out, the public can come to us with tips," he
added.

"A police force is only as good as the community it serves," Paquette said.

"If the community gets involved it makes our job easier to get the predators
to court."

Membership in the Pinegrove Rural Crime Watch, which serves an area from
Nojack to the Obed Hills, is $20 annually.

Paquette noted that while some people are concerned their potential tip may
burden the police, he said members would rather attend a complaint where
nothing results rather than have to investigate a major crime simply because
someone didn't think a tip was important.

Const. Wally Henry spoke about the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE)
program in Edson.

The 17-week program is targeted to Grade 6 students at A.H. Dakin, Pine
Grove, Evergreen and Westhaven Schools.

DARE teaches kids about drug and alcohol addictions, violence, gangs and how
to live a clean lifestyle.

"Before we used to teach them just to say no to drugs, that they're bad and
they'll go to jail...it just doesn't work," he said.

"Not all kids pass the course," he said, noting a final essay pledging
they'll remain drug and violence-free is a challenging task for some kids.

The local RCMP detachment is dedicated to this program, as Henry's shift
schedules are adjusted to ensure continuity in program instruction.