MEETING LEAVES QUESTIONS UNANSWERED

Islanders Want To Meet With Vancouver Island District RCMP

Texada Island residents still have questions about the August 16
marijuana raids that were carried out on their island.

About 40 people attended last week's community policing meeting and
spoke about the operation that damaged property and included low-level
flying over island homes.

"It's a start," said Neale Berjer of the meeting. "But there are still
questions that remain to be answered and the meeting has raised some
additional questions."

For instance, residents want to know why a black, unmarked helicopter
was used. "Who was in charge of the operation? We've been told it was
outside their normal way of doing things," said Berjer.

Dave Murphy, Powell River Regional District director representing
Texada Island, said people were disappointed that only the local RCMP
attended the meeting and not a representative from the Vancouver
Island District who could answer questions.

"People wanted to and needed to vent their frustrations over the
escalating helicopter scrutiny of the island," said Murphy.

After the August 16 marijuana operative Murphy contacted the base
commander at CFB Comox and was told that the military was under the
direction of the RCMP. "It was their [the RCMP's] operation."

Although many people asked questions at the meeting, no answers were
given. "Everybody was frustrated. As a community we want answers to
our questions and workable solutions. We want to be respected and have
peace and tranquility here," said Murphy.

Tim Atwood was also at the meeting. "The most disappointing thing was
that the only RCMP who could make it were from our detachment and they
had no control over the operation," he said.

Atwood said residents were told their concerns would be passed on to
the Vancouver Island District of the RCMP.

Island residents expect damage issues will be addressed, but there are
other issues--such as what is a safe distance for a helicopter to fly
over homes--that haven't. Neither was the question of whether search
warrants are required in order to enter homes.

"We realize their mandate is to work with current laws but it was the
way it was done. It bordered on reckless endangerment," said Berjer.

Murphy said islanders won't let the matter drop. He said two RCMP from
Vancouver Island would be at his house Tuesday, September 7 to discuss
concerns and he expects a request will come out of the next community
policing meeting to hold a community meeting on the issue with
officials from the Vancouver Island District of the RCMP in attendance.

"Enough is enough. We don't want this whitewashed. Whenever we've
complained in the past nothing happens or they become agitated and
increase their surveillance."