Crime stats were on the mind of Sergeant Dave Clare at the last council meeting for 2011. Some areas of crime were down, among them being assaults and vehicle theft. Assaults were down significantly over the previous third quarter from 2010. They were down by 16 per cent.
Clare reported however that complaints arising from disturbances were up by 46 per cent and property damage incidents were up 41 per cent within town limits and 83 per cent in the rural areas. Clare stated, “A number of these reports were related to youth damaging property or creating excessive noise while several others involved graffiti on buildings in the downtown core during late August.”
In 2011, the Princeton RCMP detachment investigated nine founded drug offenses. Two involved cocaine trafficking and seven involved drug possession.
Between July and September, the local detachment handed out two 90 day immediate roadside suspensions (IRP) one three day IRP and two 24 hour roadside prohibitions.
Foot and boat patrols were engaged at rural Tulameen and were said to be “well received by the public,” Clare stated. Local members were very active at local events. “Members were welcomed to participate in Canada Day, B.C. Day, the museum grand opening, the ambassador coronation, the Hwy #3 improvement project, on the Aquatic Centre Committee, for the local Brownie troop, the Rotary Wine Festival, Racing Days, the Fall Fair and for Counterfeit Awareness to the Chamber of Commerce.”
Clare was also pleased to report that the Restorative Justice program is “up and running with five committed volunteers.” The Community Consultative Group was able to process two files involving five local youths.
In conjunction with the RCMP, Councillor Frank Armitage asked Clare if the volunteer groups COPS (Citizens on Patrol) were still sustainable after the loss of two members to the community. Clare stated that COPS presently has approximately 20 members helping patrol the community. “They are our extra eyes and ears in our community and we really appreciate all the time and effort they put into aiding the RCMP and residents to keep Princeton safe,” Armitage concluded.
Councillor Marilyn Harkness asked Clare about the present RCMP detachment which is slated for demolition. “We are hoping to have a new facility built on the same site in 2013,” said Clare. “There are ventilation issues with our current building. We are having some renovations done to install close circuit monitors, but are hopeful our goal for 2013 is still in reach.”