Pubdate: Fri, 08 Jul 2005
Source: Spruce Grove Examiner, The (CN AB)
Copyright: 2005 The Grove Examiner
Contact:  http://www.sprucegroveexaminer.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1842
Author: Amanda Arnold

COUNTY APPROVES DRUG SQUAD

Parkland County is hoping to co-operate with its neighbouring 
municipalities to bring in an additional RCMP member to set up a 
Criminal Code-specific drug squad.

Coun. Pat Brennan brought forward the motion to set up the task force 
during Tuesday's general committee meeting. He stated his intent to 
bring forward such a motion two weeks ago, during a June 21 general 
committee meeting.

His motion asked the general committee to endorse the addition of one 
RCMP position to be dedicated to a Criminal Code-specific drug squad 
and enforcement. Brennan's motion also asked for the projected cost 
of up to $120,000 be incorporated into the county's 2006 budget, 
subject to the participation of Stony Plain and Spruce Grove. It was 
carried unanimously.

"This is a Parkland County-wide initiative," said Brennan, adding 
villages and hamlets within the county's boundaries are welcome to be involved.

Several councillors, while agreeing with the idea behind Brennan's 
motion, were concerned about taking on what is normally a provincial 
responsibility.

"I understand there is a need for this in the community," said Coun. 
Al Kowalenko, but this additional RCMP member "really should be a 
provincially-funded and federally-funded position.

"It really is their responsibility," he said.

Coun. Rob Wiedeman said he was concerned that if Parkland County and 
other local municipalities start paying for RCMP, they will be 
expected to do so on a continuing basis. He suggested the proposed 
budget for the drug squad could be put to better use lobbying the 
province for more manpower for the RCMP.

"If we have one officer and he's arresting people for drugs, all his 
time will be tied up in court," Wiedeman said.

Coun. Clifford Goerz echoed Wiedeman's concerns.

"I hope we're not doing something the provincial and federal 
governments should be doing," he said, adding he knows the local 
police are also frustrated because they go through the trouble of 
arresting people for drug-related crimes "but the law is not strict 
enough to handle them and they are back on the street."

Coun. Darrell Hollands, who is also treasurer of the Stony Plain and 
District Crime Watch Association, said when he brought forward the 
idea at a recent meeting, the reaction he received was the county 
should go ahead with it.

Coun. Jo Szady, who is also involved in the crime watch association 
in her area, said she was "strongly in favour of this" and it's 
"important to take action now."

"This is a step in the right direction," added Mayor Phyllis Kobasiuk.
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MAP posted-by: Beth