Broadview RCMP are set to police the detachment area with greater focus and attention paid to four specific priorities as identified by citizen and council concerns.
Broadview Detachment Staff Sergeant Gord Stewart has set the detachment priorities for 2012/13 with information and feedback gathered from meetings with municipal and band councils held earlier this year.
“It’s seeking their input to tell us what they want to see (RCMP) doing in their communities,” said Stewart. “We’re asking them, ‘what do you want us to focus on?’ The (concerns) that are identified are by people in our communities- the councils in our communities- so to me that’s very important.”
While issues varied amongst the detachment coverage area, Stewart said overlapping concerns did arise and common denominators were identified.
In addition to performing daily tasks and enforcement, Stewart said Broadview RCMP will lend greater attention and vigilance toward: traffic enforcement, drug enforcement and education (safety in schools), prolific (repeat) offenders and crime reduction specific to mischief, theft and possession of stolen property.
Broadview RCMP will work in conjunction with Traffic Services to address all aspects of traffic enforcement and will conduct radar and work to reduce speeds in school zones, within town limits and on grid roads.
Stewart said while speeds are posted at 80 kilometres per hour on grid roads, motorists tend to travel upwards of 100 km/h.
“We’ll also definitely be focussing on impaired driving,” he said, adding stats indicate a problem. “Last year we had a total of 62 impaireds within the detachment area. To me, that’s quite high.”
Broadview RCMP will also work to curb drug offences with a priority emphasizing drug education and enforcement. The priority will include a zero tolerance policy and educational programs within local schools.
“If you’re caught with any amount of drugs you will be charged,” said Stewart, adding those convicted of a drug offence will have their names released to the media.
Officers will continue to work with students, establishing a relationship and familiarity between RCMP and youth.
“If kids aren’t comfortable with (police) you aren’t going to solve crime. If they’re comfortable with you and
you can talk to them, they’re a great source of information,” he said
Broadview RCMP do not currently have a member trained in the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program but will work toward certifying a member this year. Despite the absence of DARE, RCMP do have a School Liaison Program in place at schools in Kipling, Kennedy, Whitewood, Broadview, Grenfell, Ochapowace, Cowessess and Kahkewistahaw. In further attempts to reduce crime Broadview RCMP will also continue to make prolific (repeat) offenders a priority. Stewart said RCMP will continue to check on those who are put on conditions by the courts to ensure those individuals abide by the parameters established.
“We’re constantly checking on those people who are put on conditions…it’s worked very well to keep them toting the line.”
The final priority RCMP identified is crime reduction specific to mischief, theft and possession of stolen property; stolen and defaced road signage in particular.
Broadview RCMP do have plans in place for a crime reduction strategy in relation to stolen and vandalized road signage and will release more information in the coming weeks.
With priorities in mind, Stewart stressed the importance of the community’s role in detecting and reporting crime.
“We ask people to be our eyes and ears, and to be apart of the solution,” he said. “It’s very important. If they see something they feel is suspicious they should report it, because it might be that little chunk of the puzzle that we need to solve something.”
Broadview RCMP Detachment is staffed with 17 officers (including Kipling members and four Yorkton Traffic Service members) and three support staff. The detachment area includes: Whitewood, Broadview, Grenfell, Kennedy, Kipling, Windthorst, Peebles, Sakimay, Ochapowace, Kahkewisthaw, Cowessess and the RMs of Silverwood, Willowdale, Kingsley, Elcapo, Wawken, Hazelwood, Golden West and Chester.
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