CHILLIWACK RCMP CHART STRATEGIC COURSE

Illegal drugs and street crime can be a vicious circle.

The 2011-13 Strategic Plan for the RCMP Upper Fraser Valley Regional
Detachment makes this connection crystal clear:

"From the front line perspective, the Detachment understands these
areas are often inter-related: those seeking to support a drug habit
often resort to property crime."

The just-released three-year plan, created with input from citizens,
city and RCMP staff alike, was presented by RCMP Supt. Keith Robinson
at city hall on Tuesday afternoon.

"This year the decision was made to commit to a three-year strategic
plan," Robinson explained to council.

The key goals are geared to clamping down on "prolific offenders and
crime hotspots" by using intelligence-based policing.

Another idea RCMP committed to was enhancing police visibility --
something the public often calls for, particularly in the business
area of downtown. Consequently increased foot patrols and bike unit
presence are part of the plan.

Police say they will continue to target gangs and related drug
activity, and "optimize" staffing resources.

With clear and attainable goals in place and measurable outcomes for
followup, the plan is the result of broad community
consultation.

"Keep in mind this is not my particular plan, it's the community's
plan," he noted.

In fact, two of the key objectives are in response to calls from the
public for RCMP to take action on drugs and petty crime.

"Residents in the Upper Fraser Valley who participated in the survey
cited two main areas they believe the RCMP should be targeting as a
priority for policing, dealing with the sale of illegal drugs (80%)
and reducing property crime including theft from homes and vehicles
(79%).

When those surveyed were asked to say which of the two should have the
absolute highest priority, illegal drugs took the lead with 53% rating
it very high priority.

Overall, three themes were dominant: safer communities, optimizing
resources and staff support.

The fact that "measurable outcomes" are central to the plan impressed
Mayor Sharon Gaetz.

"It's also nice to note that property crime went down 22 per cent,"
she said about the 2009 crime stats, after the plan was presented.

Some concern was expressed about the amount of time it takes for
officers to do reports and manage data under the PRIME system.

"Unfortunately to obtain the data, someone has to enter it," Robinson
said.

He said they're working on a process where the members call in the
data and it's entered later.

"Hopefully that reduces the time frame."

Coun. Chuck Stam called the strategic plan "a bold" document, which
avoids the "airy fairy" traps by focusing on priorities, action and
outcomes.

"You are to be congratulated," he said.