ALCOHOL- AND DRUG-RELATED CRIME ON THE RISE

RCMP are stepping up efforts to reduce alcohol and drug abuse following a
rise in robberies and assaults in Portage la Prairie.

In a report presented to city council earlier this week, police officials
expressed concern about the increase in those particular crimes, which they
believe is directly related to an "abundant" abuse problem within Portage.

"Alcohol and drugs are a contributing factor, there is no doubt," said Sgt.
Chuck Allingham while reviewing details of the report yesterday. "We have
found a lot of the crimes are occurring immediately or shortly after the
closure of liquor establishments. There is a connection."

Figures show between January and May, there were five robberies in the
city, including one involving a firearm.

That is a marked increase over the same period last year.

No robberies were recorded during the first five months of 2002, Allingham
pointed out.

There has also been a substantial jump in assaults.

There were 42 reported in May bringing the total number of assaults in the
five-month period to 170, 26 more compared to the same time last year.

Statistics also indicate there were 147 cases of minor assaults in which
the victim was not injured and four cases of assault on a police officer
between January and May.

The increasing number of assaults and robberies had to be addressed,
Allingham said.

Partnering with the Manitoba Liquor Control Board was one way the police
force felt it could lower the crime rate.

As a result, RCMP and liquor inspectors have increased walk-throughs at
licensed premises over the past few weeks.

"We're focusing on some of the liquor outlets in the community, clubs and
socials and liquor establishments, the hotels and what have you to
ascertain if drunks are being over served, etc.," Allingham explained. "By
taking a proactive approach, we think it will help clear up some of the
robberies and crimes against persons and some other offences as well or at
least keep a lid on them."

The RCMP hopes its summer bike patrol, which operates at night, will also
lower alcohol and drug-related crimes.

"That's kind of the silent enforcement aspect that we have. They're looking
for potential problems, getting to them before there's an offence,"
Allingham said.

City Coun. Orville Wagner, chairman of the city's public safety committee,
was troubled by the soaring number of assaults and robberies which have
been linked to substance abuse.

"I find that very frightening," Wagner said.

However he was pleased the local police force is making moves to combat the
problem of substance abuse.

"Police are being very cognizant of what is transpiring in the community.
They are on top of this. I expect we'll see changes when the next report is
presented," said Wagner.