Pubdate: Thu, 28 Dec 2000 Source: Kamloops Daily News (CN BC) Copyright: 2000 Kamloops Daily News Contact: 393 Seymour Street, Kamloops, B.C. V2C 6P6 Fax: (250) 372-0823 Website: http://www.southam.com/kamloopsdailynews/ Author: Robert Koopmans ADDICTS PROPEL RISE IN CRIME Kamloops is losing ground in the war against drugs, says the city's top cop. RCMP Supt. Andy Murray said the number of violent crimes rose in Kamloops in 2000. There were more armed robberies and property crimes than in 1999, something that can be attributed to drugs. Murray said drug addictions fuel crime as addicts look for cash. As a result, city residents suffer more petty thefts and more serious crime. "There is a direct link between drug abuse and crime in the community," Murray said. There has also been an increase in the number of marijuana grow operations in the city over the past few years, Murray said, and the city officers can no longer keep a lid on the growth of the marijuana industry. "We are slipping behind on the drug side," he said. "There's more out there than we can handle." Despite that, city residents should not feel hopeless. The city RCMP is working hard to reallocate resources in a way that will better deal with the emerging drug problems. As well, the department is looking at new ways to deal with the root causes of drug abuse in the community. Programs such as the RCMP's anti-drug DARE program are designed to give children the tools they need to say no to drugs. As well, neighbourhood offices and new community policing programs are being implemented to allow the public more opportunity to "partner" with police and curb crime, he said. But illegal drugs are not the Kamloops RCMP's sole focus, Murray said. Residents are also concerned about youth violence, domestic violence and property-related issues such as vandalism and graffiti. Plans are under way to deal with those issues as best as staffing will allow, he said. The city will field 100 police officers in 2001 -- 10 to 15 more than in 2000. But that is still short of the 118 officers a city the size of Kamloops should have, he said. City council recently agreed to increase the budget to allow for 100 officers -- four short of the approved contingency of 104. The increased police force in 2001 will not necessarily mean more police on the street at any given time. It will mean officers will work less overtime, Murray said. That will allow officers to do their job without facing constant burnout. As well, there will be more time to devote to investigation of some serious historical crimes. The New Year will also see improvements to policing infrastructure in the city. An expansion of the detachment headquarters is under way, Murray said. As well, it's expected the city force will convert from a radio-based dispatch system to a in-car computer-based system. The change will mean officers will spend more time on the street and less time in the office writing reports, he said. As well, it will allow for more effective delivery of important information about calls. Murray said he would also like to see increases in the size of the volunteer auxiliary police force. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake