RCMP TARGET DRUDS AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Known abusive spouses and notorious drug dealers will be the focus of police
in upcoming months, say North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP.

"Assaults are up dramatically, and a lot of those assaults have to do with
domestic violence," Insp. Linton Robinson told North Cowichan council
Wednesday.

"We are going to be targeting those high risk offenders.

North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP responded to 249 assaults in the first half of
2005, compared to 208 in 2004. More dramatically, the Cowichan Valley
Victims Services counselled 712 victims from May until June, compared to 487
people over the same period last year.

Specific drug dealers too will be given hard times from police, said
Robinson.

"Instead of a shotgun effect, crime reduction will be achieved from specific
targets," he said.

Drug offenses dropped this year from 72 to 61 incidents, which includes
anything from petty dealing to grow-ops.

Break and enters and theft under $5,000 are also down from 129 to 106
incidents and 517 to 422 respectively, while auto theft is up to 57 cars
from 48 last year.