RCMP TRYING 'FOCUSSED' STRATEGY TO FIGHT CRIME

More of the bicycle bandits who do their drug deals in the shadows of
the evening could be wearing helmets from now on.

That's to give the police one less reason to stop them.

Under a focused strategy worked out in March, Ridge Meadows Mounties
will be using several tactics to reduce crime, one of which will be
enforcing helmet laws.

That clampdown, which started a month ago, will be combined with more
police on bikes, thanks to the training of eight more bike officers.
While the number of auto thefts has dropped in the first quarter of
2006 compared to the same time last year, (248 compared to 212)
thefts from auto has gone up, Insp. Jim Wakely told Maple Ridge
council Monday.

"We know that these people on bicycles are causing quite a few of
these victims," he said.

Police targeting and arrest of a small group of auto thieves
accounted for the decrease in the former crime.

Other methods police will use to improve public safety will be to
insure court-ordered curfews are followed and that outstanding
warrants are executed, while every morning, working with outreach
workers, police will also disperse people sleeping on the streets.

Motorists and drinkers are also in the RCMP's sights.

Traffic enforcement will be targeted on high crash zones. 19 people
died in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows last year, the inspector noted.

Random roadblocks set up outside bars, it's hoped, will deter
drinking and driving. Ideally, Wakely said, at the end of the night
every bar's parking lot will be full because people all took a taxi
home.

Officers will also deal with prostitution that's appeared in Maple
Ridge, most of it drug related. The focus will be on prevention of
that through enforcement and ideally, drug rehabilitation of the
prostitutes.

Wakely said police will also be contacting Crown prosecutors so that
courts are aware of the impact of crime in the downtown, while the
addition of a crime analyst will be able to tell the police where to
target their resources.

"This person is going to be an awesome addition to the Ridge Meadows
detachment," he said.

Coun. Linda King asked what is the average length of stay for
officers in the local detachment.

Wakely said most officers don't want to leave the district unless
it's for a promotion.

"Ridge Meadows is considered a preferred post."

Police plan on reviewing the approach in the fall.