Pubdate: Wed, 04 Nov 2015 Source: Mayerthorpe Freelancer (CN AB) Copyright: 2015 Osprey Media Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/K1BRRzKA Website: http://www.mayerthorpefreelancer.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/733 Author: Kevin Hampson FOCUS ON DRUGS: TOWN TO RCMP Mayerthorpe councillors are asking the local RCMP to focus on having a visible presence in the community and clamping down on drugs, Mayor Kate Patrick said last week. Sgt. Scott McAuley, the Mayerthorpe detachment commander, recently presented his quarterly report to council. During the report, councillors usually tell the commander which issues they would like the Mounties to focus on. Karen St. Martin, the chief administrative officer, said businesses have raised concerns about theft of fuel and items both inside businesses and on the properties outside. "Council may wish to stress that there needs to be increased patrols within Town to curb this activity," St Martin wrote in a statement to councillors. Council went in camera to discuss the issues with McAuley. Property crimes appear to be trending upwards, according to the report, which shows reported crimes in the period of January to September. There have been 114 property crimes recorded so far this year, up from 81 recorded during the same period last year, and 75 and 76 in 2013 and 2012 respectively. Theft under $5,000 more than doubled from 21 incidents in both 2012 and 2013, to 31 in 2014, to 47 this year. Mischief to property is up to 28 so far this year, compared to 16 in the same period last year. The number of break-and-enters has stayed about the same, at 17. There have been 206 criminal code offences altogether this year, compared to 131 in the first three quarters of 2014, 132 in 2013, and 151 in 2012. Only one drug trafficking offence is recorded this year, along with two possession offences, compared to two and six, respectively, in 2012. McAuley said the detachment is taking steps to combat drugs in the community, though for obvious reasons he didn't go into details. "The reality of it is every town has drugs," he said. "We're aware that there is a list of drugs in town, and we're trying to proactively work on that. "We're going to try to put some stuff in place. It's not an overnight thing that fixes it, but we're looking down the road to continue working on it." Persons crimes also went up considerably, more than doubling over the same period last year, from 21 in 2014 to 46 in 2015. The increase was driven by one category of persons crimes -- assaults, which rose to 35 in 2015 from only seven in the same period last year. However, as recently as 2012 there were 27 assaults recorded from January to September. The number went down to 14 in 2013. Residents should not conclude that the rise in thefts and assaults means there are many more criminals, McAuley said. Rather, there have been a few very active individuals. "It's a small number causing a larger number of the complaints." One of these individuals, Reilly Grootjans, was sentenced in October to nine weeks in jail. Like many other offenders, Grootjans said his crimes were driven by his drug addiction. As for the issue of the RCMP's visibility, McAuley said they try to go out into the community as much as possible, "and we're going to strive to continue to show a presence." NEW MEMBERS The number of officers at the detachment has risen from 10 to 11, thanks to the addition of a new corporal. Two new constables have also arrived at the detachment, bringing the total number of officers to 13 -- on paper. There are currently two members on paternity leave and transfers are coming up for some officers. When the next officer transfers out, one of the additional members will take his place, McAuley said. The permanent staff now comprises the sergeant, two corporals and eight constables. - --- MAP posted-by: Matt