DRUG DEALERS AND BAD BOATERS AMONG TOP PRIORITIES FOR SICAMOUS RCMP

Busting marijuana grow ops and providing on-lake enforcement will
continue to be priorities for the RCMP in Sicamous.

Last summer was one of the best years yet for enforcement on the lake,
Sicamous RCMP Sgt. Carl Vinet explained to district council at its
Feb. 23 committee of the whole meeting. The successful season, Vinet
said, was largely due to a relationship with other detachments and
government agencies who worked together on a lake enforcement
initiative that included a multi-agency blitz on the August long
weekend.

"It was reported to me by BC Ambulance that it was their best weekend
ever with respect to their calls for service on the lake," said Vinet.
"There's another issue that is problematic for the ambulance, to
respond to things on the lake, but because we had a sustained
presence, it was very positive - something we'd like to continue in
the coming year."

Vinet said the Sicamous detachment also had a record year for taking
down drug dealers and marijuana grow ops. Eleven grow ops were busted
in the 2010/11 year, seven outdoor and four indoor.

"They're there and the information is getting filtered to us and we've
been fortunate to get the evidence together to do these grow
operations.," said Vinet.

Another ongoing initiative for local RCMP will be the prolific
offender program, where police focus on the small percentage of
individuals responsible for the majority of crimes in the area.

"Through communication within the detachment, with probation, with
Crown counsel, with surrounding detachments, we identify the
problematic people within our community, or who would influence our
community and crime in the community, and we specifically target these
people," said Vinet. "We stay on their cases. If they have curfews or
conditions, we make sure they abide by these, and if they come to our
attention on the criminal side, no matter how insignificant the crime
might be, we hit them hard, just to send a message."

A police presence in the schools was also a priority that will
continue. One example is the DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education)
program that was taught in Parkview Elementary. Vinet said he would be
discussing with the principals of Parkview and Eagle River Secondary
ways officers can be more accessible to students in the schools.

An education and enforcement program was also created to deal with
scooter and e-bike riders - something that was expected to be more
problematic than it was.

"The e-bike scenarios that are problematic, as most of you know, are
people who have lost their drivers licence and have found an e-bike as
a mode of transportation," said Vinet.

Regardless, Mayor Malcolm MacLeod raised the issue of e-bike owners
riding on sidewalks and public pathways, despite a bylaw prohibiting
this. He also asked if police could focus attention on the crosswalk
on Highway 97B, where vehicles are not stopping for kids.

Coun. Lynn Miller asked Vinet if local RCMP members could get more
involved in community functions. Vinet said he could make the
suggestion, but couldn't tell officers what to do in their off time.

"I have six members, three of which are single, no kids and no real
attachment to the community," said Vinet. "It becomes very difficult
for them to find a grounding into the community. When they get long
periods of days off, they go home to their families. Nobody stays
around here. That's the reality, that's the dynamic of the
detachment."

MacLeod and council spoke highly of the August long weekend
enforcement blitz on the lake and asked if the initiative might
include the July long weekend as well. Vinet said this could be
discussed with the other agencies involved, who are likely only
planning for a repeat of the August long weekend. However, an
important element of that blitz was the houseboat Twin Anchors donated
for use as a floating base.

"If we know, we can plan for it because it made a big difference to
have the platform out there," said Vinet. "Because now members were
committed to what they were doing and there was no distraction and
we're that close to the two stores and Nielsen Beach, which is
basically where it all happens."

Vinet said he could not ask for use of a boat. But MacLeod and
district administrator Alan Harris explained that, if need be,
something might be arranged through the Shuswap Lake Integrated
Planning Process, which has a budget for on-water enforcement.