CRIME ON THE RISE

RCMP Put Forward An Aggressive Business Plan To Combat Crime Over The Next
Two Years

Mayerthorpe Freelancer - Statistics put forward by the Mayerthorpe RCMP
showed a significant increase in crime rates from 2002 - 2003. The six-page
report showed a breakdown of criminal and traffic violations within the
community.

Residential and business robberies were up along with petty theft and bail
violations.

Staff Sergeant Scott Beck says it is difficult to pinpoint one or two
reasons why crime is on the rise.

"A core group of individuals often make up for a majority of the crime in a
community," he says.

He also pointed to the Youth Justice Act and the judicial system's
reluctance to give jail time to non-violent offenders.

"It has made it difficult for us," he says. "If it's not a violent crime
the courts will not hold [offenders] and they are often back on the
streets, doing more crime," Other factors such as economic hardship and
increased drug abuse may also account for rising crime rates.

Nonetheless, the detachment has put forward an aggressive business plan for
policing over the next two years.

The plan highlights local, provincial and national priorities.

Their major areas of focus include drugs and substance abuse, youth
vandalism and family violence.

Already the detachment has made significant headway in the fight against
drugs with a number of arrests early in the year and they looking to
increase arrests and convictions related to the drug trade throughout 2004
- -2006.

Youth vandalism has also been identified as a major priority.

"It is certainly an area of concern," says Beck.

RCMP have introduced programs such as Citizens on Patrol and Student Crime
Stoppers hoping to reduce vandalism and other crime.

Their business plan also put continued focus on preventative policing
through community programs and helping victims of crime through their
victim services department.

Traffic initiatives included a greater focus on impaired driving, stop sign
violations and seatbelts violations.

RCMP say they see a lot of accidents as a result of these violations.

"They are major contributors," says Beck.

Likewise, motorists not wearing seatbelts are more prone to injury.

It has emerged as a big concern for police as last year - in the area 55
people were injured as a result of motor vehicle accidents and an
additional three killed.