POLICE CONCENTRATING ON DRUG ENFORCEMENT

The Sundre RCMP detachment will continue to make drug enforcement one
of its priority initiatives over the next months, detachment commander
Percy Leipnitz told town council.

Leipnitz presented his detachment's third quarter statistics during
last week's council meeting, saying proactive drug enforcement is the
first initiative of officers.

"We are still out there seeking information," he said.

So far this year the detachment has answered 61 drug related calls for
service, including 30 in town. That compared to 19 in town in the same
period in 2009.

In August officers conducted a search warrant on a local residence,
seizing marijuana plants and drug paraphernalia. That case remains
before the courts, he said.

The other two top initiatives for the detachment are conducting police
and youth at risk interaction sessions and making crime prevention
presentations to local seniors' groups. The latest seniors' session
will be held Nov. 30.

Regarding the community traffic plan, he said the plan is to conduct a
dozen speeding enforcement initiatives and two proactive
presentations.

The detachment is currently up to full strength with the recent
addition of a new corporal and a new constable, he said.

According to the statistics for calls for service presented by Sgt.
Leipnitz, total persons crimes increased from 69 to 73, total property
crimes increased form 176 to 184, total criminal code other calls
decreased from 123 to 73, and total criminal code traffic offence
calls decreased from 49 to 47.

Calls for service so far this year include 41 for assault, 32 for
other persons crimes, 17 for break and enter, 50 for theft under
$5,000, 88 for mischief, 16 for fraud, 30 for drugs, 144 for
provincial statutes and 22 for municipal bylaws.

Calls for service on the traffic side include 10 for failure to remain
at scene, five for dangerous or careless driving, 14 for suspended
drivers, 325 for speeding/insurance/seatbelt and other provincial
traffic offences, two for traffic bylaw, 31 24-hour suspensions for
alcohol, and 44 impaired driving.

Councillor Myron Thompson asked Sgt. Leipnitz what the local
detachment is doing to fight drunk drivers in the district.

"We are patrolling a lot and we will continue to do that," said
Leipnitz. "Our biggest thing is visibility."

Leipnitz called on the new council to bring any concerns or suggestion
to him throughout the year.

Meanwhile, Sundre RCMP officers responded to 365 calls for service in
October, according to monthly statistics released last week.

Of those calls, 34 were for Criminal Code offences, including three
calls for person related crimes, 24 for property, three for drugs, and
three for firearms offences.

On the traffic side, there were 36 collision calls, three for driving
while disqualified, five for no insurance, 94 for other traffic
violations such as speeding, 10 for impaired driving (with two charges
laid), four novice driver suspensions and nine 24 hour suspensions.

The detachment fielded four calls for information on missing persons,
16 false alarms, 32 criminal record checks and three calls for
abandoned vehicles.