DRUG-RELATED CRIMES UP IN 2004

This past year was a little busier for crime.

In 2004, the Taber Police Service was called on for service more than
in 2003 and Taber saw a bit of an increase in crime, which chief Terry
Dreaddy attributes partially to drug use.

In 2003, Taber police worked on 105 drug-related incidences and at the
end of November the number of drug cases reported for 2004 was at 140.
In 1999, police looked into 58 drug-related matters, while in 2000 the
number grew to 82. The year 2001 saw 74 incidences reported and for
2005 police already have a record of 75 cases.

At the end of November in 2003, 1,134 criminal code cases were
reported and so far this year police have worked on 1,344 criminal
code offences.

"When drugs increase, a lot of times offences increase," said Dreaddy.
"Mostly cocaine is the biggest player, I think."

He added Taber police also encountered methamphetamine. While cocaine
is the biggest problem currently in Taber, officers are scared of the
impact meth could have here.

Statistics on service calls received at the Taber Police Service were
presented to the Taber Police Commission by Dreaddy in December.

While every year drug use is behind some of reports received by the
Taber Police Service, police know drug use partly caused crimes more
frequently this year.

Types of incidences Taber police worked on this year involving drug
use included home invasions and rapes, unlawful confinement and sexual
assault with a weapon.

"Your home is supposed to be a castle," said Dreaddy.

"That is pretty traumatic for a small town. It is traumatic for
anyone, but we are talking about Taber here."

In 2003, police had one reported robbery and this year they dealt with
one at Safeway, are investigating one at Mac's convenience store and
assisted with one outside of town.

Some other drug-related reports this year include, domestic violence,
high-speed pursuits, a vehicle running into town property causing
$10,000 worth of damage, serious assaults, extortion and intimidation
and hit-and-runs. Reported incidences of theft under $5,000 went up
from 229 in 2003 to 290 this year.

Dreaddy said attempted suicides have also been linked to drug use and
added police received between 30 and 40 calls pertaining to health
care concerns with some being linked to drugs.

"Drugs is the number one thing that we are concerned about because it
has a huge impact on people's lives and on our community," said Dreaddy.

Reported incidences of impaired driving went up from 113 last year to
125 in 2004. Dreaddy said about half those cases resulted in charges.

"You have all these organizations out there to promote not drinking
and driving and yet the numbers get higher and higher," said Randy
Sparks, at the Taber Police Commission's December meeting. "Are they
wasting their time? I hope not, but that stat keep climbing and
climbing and that is a scary thing."