RCMP BOSS REPORTS REDUCTION IN CRIME

The Prince George RCMP has saw city crime decrease in 2004, and will
continue to expand its efforts, city council heard at its meeting Monday night.

Superintendent Dahl Chambers also said he doubts many tickets will be
issued under the provincial Safe Streets Act, and that he will take a
wait-and-see approach.

"We will continue our thrust against organized crime, and also continue our
downtown policy initiatives," Chambers told council. "We're also looking at
human resources issues on how to restructure service to the city."

The DARE and BRAVE programs - targeting drugs and bullying respectively -
will be expanded, Chambers said, with both to be offered in every school.

In response to a question from councillor Glen Scott - who asked if
policing downtown was a forgotten issue - Chambers said police continue to
have a strong presence downtown

"I think we are having a significant impact," Chambers said. "I don't know
how much more you want me to put down there."

The RCMP's report and business plan notes $29,000 was spent in overtime
last year specifically for foot patrols downtown, and members conducted
additional police patrols to increase police presence and visibility. One
downtown CPAC (community policing access centre) is assigned to foot
patrols and to making daily contact with businesses.

Chambers said crime had decreased in 2004 from 2003:

* Thefts of vehicles fell to 140 from 223; * Break and enters dropped to
151 from 204; * Destruction of property under $1,000 decreased to 140 from
164; * Robberies were down by six from 19; * Assaults decreased by eight to
114; * There were no sexual assaults reported in 2004.

"There has been significant across the board reductions," Chambers said.
Police also arrested 52 sex trade consumers and 10 sex trade workers, and
conducted five undercover operations. Prostitution complaints were down to
826 in 2004 from 1,111 in 2003, the report notes, and the detachment spent
$39,000 for 654 hours of overtime enforcement on the anti-prostitution DISC
program.

Councillor Don Zurowski said some residents feel frustrated when someone
charged after a drug or grow operation bust are "back in business two or
three days later."

"It's as frustrating as you can imagine," Chambers said, adding search
warrants limit the quantity of drugs police look for. Violent criminals
also intimidate witnesses, he said.

Councillor Sherry Sethen asked Chambers to comment on the Safe Streets Act,
passed by the government last year. Attorney General Geoff Plant announced
in late January aggressive panhandlers could face fines of $86 to $115
dollars, issued by police.

"I do have some concerns," Chambers said. "It's been touted as the end-all
to panhandling. I'm not so sure."

He said the law may work better in Victoria and Vancouver than in Prince
George, but can be used as a tool to "move people on."

"But fining folks without any money, I'm not so sure that's going to work,"
he said. "Let's wait and see as things play out, but I'm not so sure it's a
magic bullet."

He said other legislation passed, the Trespass Act, will give police more
power to deal with people not wanted on private property.