Every Ounce Of Dope That Is Sold Travels During Its Journey From Seller To Buyer On The Roadways. That somewhat obvious observation has RCMP traffic members focused on taking dealers, their drugs, money and guns off the roads. "Members of the traffic units are not only focused on harm reduction and saving lives," said Insp. Randy Kolibaba, head of traffic services for the province's Southeast District. "If these drugs weren't interdicted, they would end up in our schools, on our streets and fuelling gang violence and other related crimes. [continues 380 words]
One of the two baddest blocks on Leon Avenue has slid into the gutter again. There have long been drugs and violence on Leon, especially between Pandosy and Ellis streets, but this winter has seen another spike in trouble. The drug sellers and buyers became more persistent as soon as A&B Sound moved out last year, and there hasn't been any relief since. That has resulted in RCMP announcing Monday that another member will be added to the downtown enforcement unit. [continues 748 words]
Judges may hand out longer sentences to people who traffic drugs around schools, but the Drug Free Zone program is hardly worth the signs it is written on. The zones were established about seven years ago in a joint effort between the police and school board. The announced goal was harsher sentences for people trafficking within the zones around schools, although that appears to have been more wishful thinking than legal thinking. "The intent of the zones is certainly a good one, and they have been effective to some degree," said School District 23 Supt. Mike Roberts, "but they haven't had the impact that was hoped for at the beginning. [continues 590 words]
Other police departments in B.C. are taking note of Kelowna's success in reducing crime. Kelowna's crimefighting efforts -- reflected by across-the-board improvements in crime statistics presented to City Council Monday -- were the subject of discussion at the recent Union of B.C. Municipalities convention. RCMP Supt. Bill McKinnon says other forces are asking him how Kelowna does it. "We're quite proud of that fact," said McKinnon. "We think we've turned things around here. Statistics for the first nine months demonstrate that. [continues 337 words]
The downtown druggies and thugs have come out of the woodwork early this year, and more of them are packing weapons. Police and downtown agencies hope to get a jump on the problem during a meeting Thursday, but RCMP are already considering bringing in cops on overtime to supplement regular downtown patrols. RCMP Insp. Cam Forgues said that although the situation is "far better" than it was last spring, the early arrival of more dangerous people has raised an alert. "We are going to meet with all of the agencies in the downtown to find ways to collectively deal with the small majority who are causing grief," said Forgues. "They are coming from everywhere in increasing numbers and with weapons. I'm not surprised. The weather has been great." [continues 402 words]
Kelowna RCMP will begin enhanced downtown patrols this weekend with extra cops on overtime hitting the streets. RCMP Insp. Cam Forgues made the announcement following a meeting Thursday with downtown agencies, especially those on Leon Avenue. "We will start with two extra members, but if we need to do more, we absolutely will," said Forgues. "We want to send a message early that misbehaving won't be tolerated." He said the number of extra officers and the times they are on the street will depend, in part, on the weather. [continues 281 words]
The seizure of a large quantity of a date-rape drug has prompted police to warn women to be careful in bars and at house parties. During a routine traffic stop on March 15, RCMP seized some cocaine, which led to a search warrant for the residence of the vehicle's owners, where a one-litre bottle of gamma-hydroxy butyrate (GHB) was found. "One litre is a significant seizure, as a very small quantity can have seriously harmful affects," said RCMP Sgt. Reg Burgess. [continues 375 words]
Kelowna's court watchers have found what they expected -- light sentences -- but they hadn't anticipated just how slowly the wheels of justice grind. "We have found that in some cases the sentences are too light, but we've also found that the delays in court are just astounding," said Court Watch co-ordinator Leigh Campbell. "It's to the point of being ridiculous. "The waste of time . . . you're saying, 'God, no wonder they're so backed up.' Nothing happens. It's time for the judge to say 'sorry, today.'" She mentioned one case which saw an accused appear five times on five different charges. [continues 563 words]
A Supreme Court jury in Kelowna heard Part 2 of duelling drug experts Friday, with the RCMP's expert shooting holes in Ronald Fowler's defence. Fowler has claimed he was in a cocaine- and alcohol-induced blackout on the night that Diana Russell was murdered, and a defence drug expert has testified that that may have been so. On Friday, the Crown called RCMP toxicologist Jeff Caughlan to the stand. He said it was all nonsense. Caughlan said it is unheard of to have a total blackout (amnesia) from drinking beer, particularly the amount Fowler claimed to have consumed on the night of Russell's rape and murder, Feb. 21, 2002. [continues 286 words]
It's become the newest phrase in the vocabulary of traffic officers: stoned driving. Counter Attack roadblocks are stopping more drivers who are on drugs, especially marijuana. "There are definitely more drivers smoking up and driving on the roadways," said RCMP Const. Rick Aselton. "That's not good. Their judgment is impaired and their reflexes slower. "It's like stepping into the '70s, when they are all rolling down the windows trying to get the smell out." If a driver is found impaired by marijuana, it's most likely to result only in a 24-hour suspension. Aselton can't recall one criminal charge locally of a person being impaired by THC -- the active ingredient in marijuana. [continues 465 words]
No one will call them battle plans, but opposing forces in the debate over a downtown apartment block for drug addicts and homeless are "marshalling forces." On Tuesday, downtown property owners attended a closed-door session of about 75 people, ending with a call for a moratorium on the 30-suite building on St. Paul Street. On Wednesday, members of the Four Pillars Coalition and the Kelowna Homelessness Steering Committee were involved in separate strategy sessions. One document being circulated by the John Howard Society was entitled "breaking down barriers." [continues 373 words]
It's a never-ending job -- like washing dirty dishes. RCMP did a cleanup of the downtown core Tuesday, arresting nine alleged cocaine dealers and issuing arrest warrants for 12 more. It was the second major sweep in the past four months. The two projects have brought charges against 63 different people. Three of those taken into custody Thursday, a woman and two men, had been convicted and freed last summer. The woman received 75 days in jail. One male had the charge dropped from trafficking to possession and was fined $250. The third male was out on bail awaiting sentencing in December. [continues 457 words]
If the house you rent is being used as a grow-op, you might soon lose the house. Kelowna RCMP Supt. Bill McKinnon said seizure of the owner's property is a major measure being considered by provincial officials as they try to come up with provincewide standards to deal with grows and crack houses. "We're waiting for the results of the provincial review before we implement any of our own ideas in Kelowna," said McKinnon. "Seizure of assets, such as the house, is one idea, but we'll wait to see what's best out there." He said he hopes the review will be done by next spring. McKinnon was responding to reports of a new bylaw in Vernon that is designed to shut down drug houses by requiring a "satisfactory occupancy inspection" before allowing occupancy. [continues 119 words]
A youth addiction funding announcement by Interior Health Wednesday signifies a fundamental shift in the way the experts will treat kids hooked on meth or cocaine The new policy will provide for four "safe beds" for young addicts trying to go straight, but more important will be three more outreach workers on the street, for a total of four Dr. Don Duncan, Interior Health's mental health director for the Okanagan, said the street treatment is "miles ahead" of the more traditional models of treatment centres [continues 401 words]
KELOWNA -- Even if Kelowna RCMP could bust a grow-op a day, they would never catch up with the amount of marijuana being cultivated here Cpl. Carey Chernoff, head of the drug unit in Kelowna, said there are several hundred grow-ops in the Central Okanagan, perhaps up to 1,000 Valley-wide "The drug unit at Kelowna city could be three times the size and we could do a grow every day -- and still have plenty left over," said Chernoff [continues 925 words]
Okanagan Father Took His Teenage Daughter To Alberta For Forced Treatment Under Custody To Get Her Off Crystal Meth And Out Of The Drug Scene After being out of touch for several months, Paul took one look at his daughter and knew she was in serious trouble. "I finally found her in a park. She was with the other kids who use it for a scoring centre," said Paul, an Okanagan father who doesn't want his real name used. "Her eyes were dead. She had sores on her skin. She was totally out of control [continues 630 words]
Okanagan Lawyers, Police Officers Say Tougher Sentences For Crystal Meth Will Only Make A Difference If Judges Impose Them Don't expect to see any crystal meth traffickers receive a life sentence. Even though the federal government has increased the penalty for meth production and trafficking from 10 years to life, a Kelowna drug cop and a Vernon defence lawyer agree that judges are unlikely to impose the maximum penalty "It's a good thing, but it won't work," said Vernon lawyer Paul Danyliu. "I think it was done to placate the public. However, I think it may step up sentences to a more significant amount of time." The change in legislation puts meth penalties in line with those for heroin and cocaine, both of which carry maximum sentences of life [continues 499 words]
Interior Health will open a needle exchange and first aid office on Leon Avenue by the middle of July The office will be at 455 Leon, two doors west of the Kelowna Drop-In Centre Interior Health spokeswoman Cathy Renkas said a proposal to fund the operation is still being prepared, and although final details aren't yet available, she said the office will provide a level of service beyond what street nurses previously offered "They are currently putting together the proposal for additional funding, so we don't know at this point what the mix of services and hours will be," said Renkas [continues 441 words]
Editor's note: Okanagan Saturday reporter Chuck Poulsen recently went for a walk in downtown Kelowna with Kelowna RCMP Insp. Cam Forgues. What follows are Poulsen's observations, written in a narrative, column-like style. By CHUCK POULSEN The Okanagan Saturday I didn't ask his name, but the name Rocky fits a face that has been pounded into scars, fresh open wounds and a nose flattened by who knows how many fists Rocky is heading down Leon Avenue in Kelowna to the park for lunch. His lunch is riding on top of a small, twisted cart [continues 2325 words]
KELOWNA -- The president of the company that makes body armour for the RCMP says there is no practical way to always shield officers from high-powered bullets Details of Thursday's Mayerthorpe, Alta., killings, in which four RCMP officers were slain at a marijuana grow operation, have yet to become clear. However, Brad Field of Kelowna's Pacific Safety Products said Friday there is always a trade-off between protection and the officer's ability to move efficiently and quickly Field said the soft body armour that is standard issue for officers will stop bullets from handguns, but it's no match for high-calibre weapons -- even a .30-06, which is a common deer, elk or moose hunting rifle [continues 540 words]
