MOUNTIES URGED TO BEEF UP DRUG SQUAD

City council has agreed to add two more members to the Penticton RCMP
detachment this summer -- but it wants them specifically designated
for drug enforcement.

Council began its 2006 budget deliberations Tuesday, adopting the
$31.9-million base operating budget and $6.4-million capital budget
presented last month. It then began the month-long process of
reviewing supplemental budget requests prior to adoption of the
preliminary budget by Jan. 30.

Council gave initial approval of $107,000 for two additional RCMP
officers to be hired July 1. Due to a one-time administrative saving,
the net cost will be $60,000 this year, but will jump to $214,000 in
2007 when the new officers will be on the books for a full year.

Council voted unanimously in favour of the move, but urged the new
police officers be directed to help bolster the RCMP's drug
enforcement unit.

Councillors John Vassilaki and Garry Litke are scheduled to hold the
first meeting of the city's newly launched substance abuse task force
today to discuss the problem with local police officials. Litke, a
teacher, said drugs are a definite concern.

"I think the entire community recognizes the depth and the scope of
this problem," Litke said. "I certainly see it in the high school and
what the kids are telling me about the accessibility of drugs, it's
definitely a problem that everyone needs to deal with."

Although council can't specifically direct the police how to assign
their members, it can suggest a general direction for the detachment
through policy statements.

Commenting afterwards, Penticton RCMP Insp. Dan Fudge said while he's
happy with council's decision, it's likely only one of the new members
will be earmarked for the drug squad.

"As far as the RCMP goes, we have to decide what the priorities are,"
he said. "But, yes, one of them will be going to drug enforcement."
The two additional officers will bring the city's detachment up to 43
members, plus 10 rural members. The drug enforcement team will grow to
four members.

Fudge had asked for seven more members in early 2003, six of which
have since been added at the rate of two per year. The inspector said
he plans to ask for the seventh additional officer next year.

"When I put in the request, I felt that was the bare minimum we needed
to get the job done," he said. "We're very, very pleased to be getting
the two (this year)."

Meanwhile, council agreed to utilize $375,000 in casino revenues for
pre-design and preliminary costs for the proposed $30-million South
Okanagan Events Centre.

A pedestrian-operated traffic signal will be installed on Skaha Lake
Road opposite Skaha Park, where an elderly pedestrian was struck and
killed in a hit-and-run incident in June 2004. The man charged in the
case is due to be sentenced later this month.

Other highlighted items gaining initial council approval Tuesday
include:

* Renovate one sauna at community centre pool into handicapped
changeroom ($40,000). * Purchase new HandiDart van for wheelchair
passengers, plus operating costs ($75,000). * Replace fire
department zodiac for lake rescues ($90,000). * Sidewalk on King
Street in front of McLaren Arena ($90,000). * Replace 2,400 stacking
chairs at convention centre ($200,000).

Council postponed a decision on dozens of other supplemental budget
items and civic grants requests until next Monday to allow for further
review.

The impact on the city's tax rate will not be determined until after
deliberations have been completed. All items are subject to final
review as budget process continues for the next three weeks.