COPS CLEAN UP BUS LOOP

Police say their increased visibility and regular searches of suspected
drug dealers has dramatically reduced the type of crime that once troubled
the Thompson Park Mall bus loop.

In 2000, Kamloops RCMP officers were called out 300 times to investigate
complaints at the heavy-volume public transit interchange. These ranged
from the minor issues of skateboarding on sidewalks and loitering outside
the mall to the major complaints of open drug dealing and violence.

"We had a lot of assaults related directly and indirectly to drugs and
alcohol," recalls Const. Mike Pears.

He says at the time, officers were only responding to complaints. However,
the tables turned on troublemakers when police "target-hardened" the area
with pro-active efforts to prevent problems.

They've also been meeting regularly with management at the mall and Farwest
Coach, the company that runs the transit service for the city, to find ways
of curbing crime.

Bus drivers are observing and reporting problems, says Pears, and police
are using the court system to temporarily ban repeat young offenders from
the area.

"Our calls for service have since dropped by 75 per cent," notes Const.
John Blaase, who along with Pears can be found at the downtown bus loop
talking to transit users, youth, and checking backpacks for either drugs,
alcohol, or spray paint.

"If we get information, or if it's a known drug dealer, we've got
reasonable, probable grounds for a search," explains Pears.

Both officers agree the area is now safer than it was two years ago, which
Blaase says was the whole reason behind the hard-line approach taken at the
mall. Bus users were feeling intimidated and threatened by young thugs.
"The major issue has been around safety. We want to instill a sense of
safety to that area because there are a lot of people that use the bus
service."

Doreen Chalmers, manager at the mall, has noticed a drop in complaints.
However, having been at Thompson Park Mall for many years, she's learned
the problem will never go away. Police enforcement needs to be maintained.
"When I first got here I thought I'd get rid of this kid problem," she laughs.

"But every year, there's a new crop."