CRIME RATE LINKED TO DRUG TRADE

Criminal code offences continue to climb in Salmon Arm and the
Shuswap and they're being driven by drugs.

This was the message RCMP Staff Sgt. Dave Williams included in his
quarterly report to City of Salmon Arm councillors on Monday.

The total of criminal code offences has risen by 17 per cent over
2005 in rural areas and by four per cent in Salmon Arm.

The most significant increase was in break and enters which are up 51
per cent over 2005 to 189, while thefts under $5,000 rose 11 per cent to 675.

Other criminal code offences such as vandalism at 821 offences were
down by five per cent, but still accounted for 25 per cent of the
call outs, Williams told councillors.

The detachment is still short of resources with only 13.6 of 17
budgeted police officer positions currently working, but Williams
predicts that, as of July 1, the detachment will be short just one position.

"This means you're not paying for what you're not getting," he said.
"But you're not getting what you agreed to pay for."

Williams says he is still working on getting a First Nations police
officer for later this year, but adds it is now up to the federal and
provincial governments to budget for the position.

In the area of significant files, Williams advised councillors that,
following considerable surveillance, a drug house in the downtown
area was closed down and investigation continues.

In another drug-related case, the new Controlled Substance and Safe
Premises bylaw was used for the first time last week.

With spousal assaults climbing, Williams said the detachment is
looking for more Victim Services volunteers.

"This group continues to provide excellent service with low numbers
of volunteers," he said, noting a new training session will begin soon.

Williams also noted there has been some additional enforcement in the
downtown corridor by both the RCMP's Sicamous and Revelstoke Traffic Services.

While expressing frustration about the relation of drugs to criminal
offences, councillors were more interested in Trans-Canada Highway traffic.

Coun. Alan Harrison asked for statistics on ticketing and expressed
the hope stats are broken down between large commercial vehicles and
smaller vehicles.

"Speeding is speeding," said Williams, who agreed to provide Harrison
with the overall statistics.

Coun. Kevin Flynn says he saw a semi run a red light Saturday night
in the downtown area and asked for the RCMP's help in getting a
camera -- even if it is not the latest in technology.

"A camera would be great," replied Williams. "All we can do is keep
bringing it up and I will do that."

Flynn also said he was glad to hear the staff sergeant announce a
community policing meeting would be held in the near future. No
reason was given for the recent cancellation of the March 8 public
policing meeting.