Pubdate: Tue, 28 Dec 1999 Source: Kamloops Daily News (CN BC) Copyright: 1999 Kamloops Daily News Contact: 393 Seymour Street, Kamloops, B.C. V2C 6P6 Fax: (250) 372-0823 Website: http://www.southam.com/kamloopsdailynews/ CRIME RATE REMAINS STABLE IN KAMLOOPS Statistics for 1999 show crime is stable in Kamloops, neither increasing or decreasing. Cpl. Al Soneff said the 1999 numbers show relatively little change from 1998. ...snip... In some cases, stats can be downright deceiving, he said. As an example, drug offences in 1999 showed a 43 per cent increase from 1998, from 300 cases to 453. That kind of jump might lead some to the conclusion the drug trade in Kamloops is increasing, Soneff said. The numbers are more a reflection of increased enforcement -- not more dealers. In any given year, officers tap only a small part of the drug trade. In 1999, police got more than they did in 1998. Same with liquor offences. There were 30 per cent more liquor files in 1999 than the year previous, but police made a concerted effort to tackle public drinking this past summer, he said. The extra effort led to more cases. The increased numbers are a positive indication -- not negative, he said. When crime stats rise like they did with drugs and liquor, it means the public will see less of those offences on the street. "As a result of the increased enforcement, fewer complaints are coming in," said Soneff. - --- MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk