YOUTH AND DRUGS THE FOCUS FOR POLICE

The number of break and enters, along with theft, mischief, and
possession of stolen property, and assaults have dropped in Castlegar
between 2005 and 2006.

"I think it's a very safe city," said Castlegar RCMP staff sergeant
David Fayle. "You're not likely to become the victim of a mugging."

Fayle was unable to give a reason for the lower assault total which
went from 100 in 2005 to 59 last year.

"That's a difficult one to chart," said Fayle, who stated it's
possible that some may go unreported.

The drop for break and enters was "huge" Fayle said as there were 205
compared to 68 last year. It increased by one to three for juveniles
18 and under.

Contributing to that are initiatives to work with youth.

"We've worked with the recreation complex for active programs dealing
with youth and sent letters to parents," he said.

The one crime Fayle is happy to see reduced is theft mischief, which
he claims is usually youth driven.

"It can impact an entire community," he noted. "I'm really happy with
that. Youth is an issue we look at every year."

The one area he'd like to see improvement is vandalism.

"I'd like to see it become history," he said. "It's a pointless crime.
We don't get too many 80-year-olds spray painting."

Fayle said the key to the reduction has been crime initiatives which
are "very time consuming."

Castlegar's staff sergeant said that there is liaising with schools
and youth groups that take place.

Police have noticed an increase to public intoxications with
youth.

Constable Dave Johnson said that's the area he's noticed
change.

"It is a targeted group of individuals who drink," he said. And it's
that group RCMP notice is more involved with vandalism.

Recently the Rotary skatepark was the victim of graffiti.

"The youth involved with the park are upset with the graffiti,"
Johnson said. When it comes to speaking with the youth and finding out
who are responsible for the damage a built trust is needed.

"They can say who it is, but it's a matter of proof," he
added.

There has also been a reverse trend in which designated drivers are
drinking. If there is a large group, the person least intoxicated goes
behind the wheel.

"It's discouraging," Fayle said.

As the other crimes drop, driving offenses are on the
rise.

Information provided by the RCMP shows that this year alone there has
been 62 impaired charges compared to 54 in 2005. There have also been
150 24-hr suspensions given. There were 118 in 2005.

"Stats are going down because of a proactive initiative," Fayle said.
"You have to do stuff to make it go away."

The other focus Johnson mentioned is with the illicit drug
trade.

"It's on going," he asked. "There's a number of homes we're
investigating."

Despite the problems they're working to correct, Johnson feels he sees
an improvement.

"I deal with it everyday," he said. "I see it as getting safer. The
general public gets opinion on what is done and isn't."

Johnson also said that negative criticisms about how the police do
their job also isn't always bad.

"They care and have opinions," he explained. "That's an opportunity to
be involved. It can lead to bigger things."