BURNABY'S CRIME RATE UP 19 PER CENT

Crime is on the rise in the Lower Mainland, with Burnaby among the major
municipalities that has seen a significant jump in its crime rate from the
same time a year ago.

According to statistics compiled by the Ministry of Public Safety and
Solicitor General, Police Services Division, Burnaby's crime rate in the
first three months this year jumped 19 per cent from the same period a year
ago, although it is down six per cent from 2003's fourth quarter.

The crime rate is the number of criminal code offences or crimes reported
for every 1,000 people living in the community. It includes everything
except traffic violations and other federal or provincial statutes such as
drug or liquor offences.

Cpl. Pierre Lemaitre, communications officer for the Burnaby RCMP
detachment, said that the increase in the first quarter is odd, because the
crime rate traditionally jumps in the second and third quarters, coinciding
with the warmer weather.

"One of the spike periods is the summer, for sure. Some criminals are given
this opportunity that's too good to pass up. Because it's so hot, people
are leaving their windows open for relief, and that's the entrance break
and enter artists' need," Lemaitre said. "But a 19 per cent increase from
January to March - I'm stumped. I'm not sure why. [But] there's no choice,
the numbers are a fact."

While these crime rate stats don't include drug or liquor offences,
Lemaitre said that those two elements play an influential role in crime,
particularly drugs.

"Property crime, vehicle theft and theft from vehicle are usually committed
for those who are struggling with addiction. They need the cash because
they need the drugs," he said. "The increase tells me there are more
offences committed because they are out there supporting their habit.

"What we're trying to get through to people is that these types of crimes
are what addictive drugs do. I check the crime log daily and a see a steady
daily number of [break-and-enters] and armed robbery. I can't ever remember
anyone charged with armed robbery or B-and-E that said they committed a
crime because they wanted a nice T-bone steak. It's drugs, drugs, drugs."

Despite the jump in crime rate, Lemaitre said that it's still important to
keep things in perspective.

"This is still a safe place, where you can still walk down the street and
feel safe," he said. "District officers are working around the clock to
make Burnaby a safe and beautiful community. Most times, murders are
non-random, not random people being violently shot in the streets. But the
key to success is that the police continue to work with the citizens."

BC's first quarter shows a crime rate of 29.1 offences per 1,000 persons, a
seven-per cent increase from the 2003 first quarter rate of 27.3. There
were more than 120,000 criminal code offences reported in BC, up 8,200 the
same time last year.

That's a 10 per cent jump from 2002 and a 12 per cent jump from 2001.

From 2000-2004, the first quarter crime rate averaged 27 offences for
every 1,000 people.

Among the other major municipalities in the Lower Mainland that have seen
an increase in their first quarter include Surrey (16 per cent), Richmond
(nine per cent), Delta (17 per cent) and Vancouver (13 per cent).

New Westminster saw a crime increase of 11 per cent, though their crimes
reported are significantly lower with a population of around 60,000.