Pubdate: Wed, 06 Apr 2005 Source: Powell River Peak (CN BC) Copyright: 2005 Peak Publishing Ltd. Contact: http://www.prpeak.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/734 Author: Laura Walz, Peak Editor DRUG ABUSE BOOSTS PROPERTY CRIME RCMP say property and violent crime are linked to substance abuse in the community Crime indicators compiled by BC Stats show Powell River has a high rate of crime in a number of different categories. Overall Powell River Regional District is rated second worst in the province. The indicators are based on averages from 2000 to 2002 and are the latest statistics available on BC Stats' website. RCMP Constable Carl McIntosh pointed out the statistics are based on reportable crime. "What they don't measure is undetected crime or non-reportable crime," he said. "If we have an action plan to reduce property crime, those statistics will go up. We're out there targeting thieves and persons involved in property offences. The level of detection in that one area will go up." Having said that, he noted there are still general trends. "In a small community that is geographically isolated like Powell River, a trend in property crime reflecting poorly for the community can oftentimes be attributed to half a dozen individuals creating a majority of crimes." Property crime statistics have dropped 37 per cent from 2003 to 2004, which McIntosh attributed to offenders being in jail as well as a successful COPS (Citizens on Patrol) program. There are general socioeconomic conditions that create an environment where crime occurs. In Powell River, two significant ones are substance abuse issues within the community, both with alcohol and drugs, and the level of education. "There is no denying that Powell River has a drug substance abuse problem with both soft and hard drugs which contributes to the vast majority of our property-related crimes and violence against persons, such as assaults and domestic assaults. It's a community problem and it requires a community solution." The RCMP are continually attempting to devise better ways to resolve these issues, McIntosh added. "But as of yet, like many agencies, we have not found a perfect end-all solution. We employ a multifaceted approach based on enforcement, drug and alcohol awareness and other harm reduction strategies." Partnering with community groups is proving to hold the most promise in lowering the negative impact of substance abuse in Powell River, he added. McIntosh pointed to research by University of British Columbia professor Dr. Clyde Hertzman which indicates the per cent of Powell River's population over 20 years of age who has not completed high school ranges from 29.4 in Westview South/Texada to 40.8 in Townsite, low percentages by provincial standards. Powell River's ranking in juvenile serious violent crime and juvenile serious property crime can be related to a couple of factors, McIntosh said, including the Young Offenders Act, that some people considered lenient. Other issues that can contribute to youth crime are alcohol and drug use among youth, which reduces inhibitions and creates poor judgments. "A common complaint we hear from at risk youth within the community is that they are bored," he said. "Ultimately, however, there must also be some parental guidance and direction. It is still not uncommon in Powell River to run into 12- to 15-year-olds walking around in small groups at three and four in the morning in the summertime. This is a recipe for vandalism and mischief as well as property theft and in some cases the youths will engage in aggressive behaviour amongst themselves." One thing stats do not measure is the overall quality of life, in which Powell River would rank favourably, McIntosh added. "In the big picture there are still a lot of other places that are much worse off." Indicators of Crime -- 2003 Powell River's rank among 26 regional districts in the province, with 1 being the worst and 26 the best: Composite Index of Crime 2 Serious violent crime 15 Serious property crime 1 Total serious crime 1 Number of serious crimes per police officer 1 Change in serious violent crime 5 Change in serious property crime 1 Change in total serious crime 1 Motor vehicle theft 19 Spousal assault 14 Non-cannabis drug offences 14 Illicit drug deaths 1 Juvenile serious violent crime 22 Juvenile serious property crime 2 Juvenile non-cannabis drug charges 13 Note: The Composite Index is the weighted average of the sub-indices and includes serious property crime (50 per cent), serious violent crime (35 per cent) and number of serious crimes per police officer (15 per cent). Breaking and entering is the only property crime included in "serious." The indicators are based on the average from 2000 to 2002. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin