Pubdate: Fri, 22 Feb 2002
Source: Kamloops This Week (CN BC)
Copyright: 2002 Kamloops This Week
Contact:  http://www.kamloopsthisweek.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1271
Author: Darshan Lindsay

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."
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MAP posted-by: Beth