Pubdate: Wed, 10 Dec 2003
Source: Campbell River Mirror (CN BC)
Copyright: 2003 Campbell River Mirror
Contact:  http://www.campbellrivermirror.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1380
Author: Grant Warkentin
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)

DRUG CASES KEEP LOCAL MOUNTIES BUSY

Cocaine and marijuana-related crime is keeping Campbell River police busy, 
according to RCMP statistics for this past summer.

"Our statistical information clearly indicates that our drug investigators 
are extremely busy," said Insp. Larry Stright in his quarterly report to 
council.

"We are continually receiving complaints from the public concerning 
neighbourhood drug houses. Even though our statistics indicate that our 
investigators are making a valiant effort to address these problems, many 
citizens' complaints remain in queue for lengthy periods of time due to a 
lack of available resources."

Cocaine and marijuana dealers have been high on police hit lists - during 
this past summer, from July-September, police laid 128 per cent more 
charges for cocaine trafficking and 231 per cent more charges for marijuana 
trafficking than last year.

Overall, reported drug offences increased by 70 per cent over last year.

However, Stright said the statistics don't necessarily mean Campbell 
River's drug problem is getting worse.

"The increase in statistics would more than likely represent an increase in 
enforcement rather than a statement of the drug problem in our community," 
he said. The sharp rise in residential break-and-enters is more concerning 
to police, Stright said.

"Although we consider all break and enters important, the reason we are 
particularly concerned about residential break and enters is the increased 
potential for contact/violence between suspects and victims," said Stright.

Statistics show there were 39 per cent more residential break and enters 
this summer than during the same time last year, making them one of the 
RCMP's biggest concerns, Stright said. On the other hand, business 
break-and-enters have decreased by 10 per cent.

"Keeping our community and particularly our homes safe is our highest 
priority," he said.

Stright was also concerned about the overall amount of property crime in 
Campbell River, which has increased by 16 per cent compared to last year.

"It is evident that we continue to have a very active criminal element 
involved in property crimes," Stright said.

Despite an increase in criminal activity in Campbell River, Stright said 
the city isn't doing too badly compared to the rest of B.C.

"From reports that we are hearing, the overall crime rates in the province 
are on the increase with many communities experiencing significantly higher 
increases than Campbell River," he said.

However, Stright added, the added workload is leaving officers with less 
time to solve their cases.

"Our officers are spending a large portion of their time responding to the 
increase in calls for service as opposed to investigating crime," he said.

RCMP are also concerned about increases in vehicle theft, theft from 
vehicles, shoplifting, willful damage, disturbing the peace and mental 
health-related calls.
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MAP posted-by: Jackl