RCMP SEEK PUBLIC'S FEEDBACK ON CRIMEFIGHTING PRIORITIES

The local RCMP have turned to the community for input as they work to
set policing priorities for the next three to five years.

Approximately 20 representatives from various community groups met
with the RCMP for a community consultation on Thursday night. Supt.
Bill McKinnon said the meeting marks the first time in the six years
he's been in Kelowna that the RCMP have done a community consultation.

From the meeting, he said, six key priorities were identified by the
community.

"The community feels that one of our priorities is dealing with
violence," said McKinnon, highlighting domestic assaults, sexual
assaults and youth violence as some of the types of violence the
community faces.

He notes that Vernon is looking at having a violent offender response
team, and McKinnon said he thinks "it's something we need to look at
in our detachment."

Another issue raised is the problem with drugs and alcohol.

"Drugs control a lot of other things," said McKinnon, pointing to the
downtown and the issue of public safety.

Organized crime was also spoken about, and McKinnon noted that
organized groups of individuals control the drug trade in Kelowna.

Another issue that came up, which McKinnon described as "huge," was
visibility of police.

"People feel safe by the fact they see police officers in the parks,
on the street corners, on the bikes," he said.

"They want the RCMP to be visible and a presence in the downtown core."

Crime prevention was also raised as a priority, with local school
officials asking that the school liaison program expand to the Westside.

The final issue that was identified, he said, was traffic enforcement.

While most people don't like the idea of getting a ticket, McKinnon
notes that traffic enforcement "is more than speeding tickets and seat belts."

He points to a police operation last weekend that resulted in 19
impaired drivers being taken off the road, 78 notice and orders for
vehicle defects, and numerous 24-hour suspensions and tickets handed
out, and said there is "still work needed."

"What would it be like if we didn't have anything?" he asked.

RCMP will be using the information from Thursday to make decisions in
the next couple of weeks about what specific priorities to focus on
in the next few years.

After the priorities are identified, RCMP plan to develop action plans.