DRUG ABUSE BOOSTS PROPERTY CRIME

RCMP say property and violent crime are linked to substance abuse in
the community

Crime indicators compiled by BC Stats show Powell River has a high
rate of crime in a number of different categories.

Overall Powell River Regional District is rated second worst in the
province. The indicators are based on averages from 2000 to 2002 and
are the latest statistics available on BC Stats' website.

RCMP Constable Carl McIntosh pointed out the statistics are based on
reportable crime. "What they don't measure is undetected crime or
non-reportable crime," he said. "If we have an action plan to reduce
property crime, those statistics will go up. We're out there targeting
thieves and persons involved in property offences. The level of
detection in that one area will go up."

Having said that, he noted there are still general trends. "In a small
community that is geographically isolated like Powell River, a trend
in property crime reflecting poorly for the community can oftentimes
be attributed to half a dozen individuals creating a majority of crimes."

Property crime statistics have dropped 37 per cent from 2003 to 2004,
which McIntosh attributed to offenders being in jail as well as a
successful COPS (Citizens on Patrol) program.

There are general socioeconomic conditions that create an environment
where crime occurs. In Powell River, two significant ones are
substance abuse issues within the community, both with alcohol and
drugs, and the level of education.

"There is no denying that Powell River has a drug substance abuse
problem with both soft and hard drugs which contributes to the vast
majority of our property-related crimes and violence against persons,
such as assaults and domestic assaults. It's a community problem and
it requires a community solution."

The RCMP are continually attempting to devise better ways to resolve
these issues, McIntosh added. "But as of yet, like many agencies, we
have not found a perfect end-all solution. We employ a multifaceted
approach based on enforcement, drug and alcohol awareness and other
harm reduction strategies."

Partnering with community groups is proving to hold the most promise
in lowering the negative impact of substance abuse in Powell River, he
added.

McIntosh pointed to research by University of British Columbia
professor Dr. Clyde Hertzman which indicates the per cent of Powell
River's population over 20 years of age who has not completed high
school ranges from 29.4 in Westview South/Texada to 40.8 in Townsite,
low percentages by provincial standards.

Powell River's ranking in juvenile serious violent crime and juvenile
serious property crime can be related to a couple of factors, McIntosh
said, including the Young Offenders Act, that some people considered
lenient. Other issues that can contribute to youth crime are alcohol
and drug use among youth, which reduces inhibitions and creates poor
judgments. "A common complaint we hear from at risk youth within the
community is that they are bored," he said. "Ultimately, however,
there must also be some parental guidance and direction. It is still
not uncommon in Powell River to run into 12- to 15-year-olds walking
around in small groups at three and four in the morning in the
summertime. This is a recipe for vandalism and mischief as well as
property theft and in some cases the youths will engage in aggressive
behaviour amongst themselves."

One thing stats do not measure is the overall quality of life, in
which Powell River would rank favourably, McIntosh added. "In the big
picture there are still a lot of other places that are much worse off."

Indicators of Crime -- 2003

Powell River's rank among 26 regional districts in the province, with
1 being the worst and 26 the best:

Composite Index of Crime 2

Serious violent crime 15

Serious property crime 1

Total serious crime 1

Number of serious crimes per police officer 1

Change in serious violent crime 5

Change in serious property crime 1

Change in total serious crime 1

Motor vehicle theft 19

Spousal assault 14

Non-cannabis drug offences 14

Illicit drug deaths 1

Juvenile serious violent crime 22

Juvenile serious property crime 2

Juvenile non-cannabis drug charges 13

Note: The Composite Index is the weighted average of the sub-indices and
includes serious property crime (50 per cent), serious violent crime (35
per cent) and number of serious crimes per police officer (15 per cent).
Breaking and entering is the only property crime included in "serious." The
indicators are based on the average from 2000 to 2002.