DRUG OFFENCES TUMBLE AS OVERALL CRIME FALLS AGAIN

A huge drop in local drug trafficking crimes has been revealed by the
Valley's top cop.

There was a 62 per cent fall in the number of such crimes recorded
locally in 2010, RCMP Insp. Tom Gray reported to Courtenay City
Council last night.

Police investigated 21 such crimes in 2010 compared to 55 in 2009.

Drug production crimes were down too, from 43 to 36, and drug
possession offences were down from 197 to 160.

"The dramatic drop in drug trafficking offences has occurred due to
the ongoing investigation of two major, higher-level drug trafficking
organizations that were conducted through 2010," Gray stated in a
written report.

"These investigations are extensive and have committed our resources,
leaving little opportunity for street level dug trafficking. I would
foresee more attention to the street level trafficking during 2011."

Gray said overall recorded crime in the Comox Valley was down again
for the third year running.

There were notable drops in the majority of what the RCMP classes as
'serious crimes' and also property crimes.

Examples included break-and-enters at private homes, which were down
33 per cent to 102 instances; auto thefts, which fell 22 per cent to
92 vehicles; and thefts in excess of $5,000, which dropped by 42 per
cent to just seven crimes.

There were 392 reported assaults, but that was a 10 per cent
reduction on the 435 recorded in 2009.

While there were still 764 instances of impaired driving, that
represented an 11 per cent fall from 863 the year before.

And calls to "disturbances" were down 21 per cent year-on-year -
although the number of incidents was still high at 754.

But there had been what he called a "marked increase" in the number
of robberies, up from 20 to 25 (a 25 per cent rise) and in thefts
from vehicles - there were an extra 80 reported, bringing the total
to 543 (a rise of 17 per cent).

Thefts under $5,000 were also up, from 378 offences to 412 (a rise of
9 per cent); but reported "mischief" to property - such as graffiti -
fell 18 per cent, from 995 to 811 instances.

Weapons offences were down to 26 from 39, but recorded arsons were up
from 22 to 25.

Shoplifting cases totalled 249 - virtually identical to 2009 - as
were sex offences (35 in 2010 compared to 37 the year before)

Gray also revealed some fresh priorities on which RCMP members could
focus this year.

As far as drivers were concerned, there would be more attention paid
to cell phone use, impaired driving, the use of seat belts, and
enforcing intersection rules.

"In addition, based on community feedback, we are proposing to focus
on the loud and unnecessary noise caused by motorcycles, and bicycle
safely," he added.

The attention to cycling will include the need for proper helmets,
lighting and general rules of the road for bicycles.

To keep up the pace of crime reduction, there will also be focus on
"street checks" and increased police visibility in areas where crime
has been occurring.

City councillors welcomed the report and praised the work of the
detachment, and the leadership of Gray.