INCREASED DRUG USE AMONG YOUTH BLAMED FOR
RASH OF THEFTS

An increase in the popularity of hard drugs like crack cocaine in Okotoks
is jacking up the number of thefts from vehicles in town, say police.

By 10 am Monday, police had received seven complaints of thefts from
vehicles, which they feel is likely the result of a growing number of drug
addictions among local teens.

"The young people in town are starting to get into the harder drugs like
crack," said Okotoks RCMP Cst. Mario Maillet. "It costs them a lot of money
to feed their addiction, so they are stealing to get that money."

Although car break-ins have always occurred in Okotoks, police have seen a
large rise in the number of cases over the past six months.

Maillet said the thieves will normally hit one or two streets a night
looking for unlocked vehicles.

"Most people don't lock their doors. They think it's small town Okotoks,
but it's not anymore," he said. "They need to lock their doors because with
the amount of hard drugs here, it's going to happen."

People also need to make sure they leave nothing of value in their
vehicles, especially overnight, said Maillet. Over the past month, RCMP
have received complaints of thefts of everything from digital cameras to
speakers and CDs from cars.

"Whatever they can get their hands on, they are taking," he added. "It's
all about making a little bit of money."

Police keep an eye out to see if any of the stolen goods end up at the
local pawnshop, but most of it is never recovered from there. Maillet
believes most of the stolen items probably end up at pawnshops in Calgary
or are sold on the street for drug money.

"Most of it is never recovered because people don't have the serial numbers
which makes it almost impossible," he said.

Without the serial numbers, police have to catch the thieves in the act.
For this reason, Maillet said it is important that residents keep an eye
out for anyone suspicious in their neighborhoods.

"We make as many patrols as we can during the night, but as soon as they
see us coming they move on to another area," he said. "Unfortunately, we
can't be everywhere all the time."

Anyone with information on the car break-ins is asked to call RCMP at 938-7046.