Pubdate: Tue, 26 Sep 2000 Source: Penticton Herald (CN BC) Copyright: 2000 - Horizon Operations (B.C.) Ltd. Contact: 101-186 Naniamo Ave. West Penticton, B.C., Canada, V2A 1N4 Fax: 1-250-492-2403 Website: http://www.ok.bc.ca/PH/index.htm SNOOPING PAYS OFF Drugs and all they bring are the next challenge for Penticton Short of putting a policeman on every street corner, public participation is the surest way of making a dent in crime. When neighbours take an interest in what's happening next door, burglars no longer have the opportunity of breaking a window and making off with belongings in the middle of the day. Criminals are notorious cowards and they won't take a risk if they suspect their nefarious actions are likely to be detected by a well-meaning snoop next door. Figures from Penticton RCMP tell us as much. Crime prevention co-ordinator Gordon Flebbe says the detachment has had phenomenal response from Crime Stopppers, which got up and running locally in 1994. Since then, 1,827 tips have resulted in 362 cases being cleared, 419 arrests, the recovery of $1.3 million worth of stolen property and the seizure of almost $4 million worth of illegal drugs. It's not only eagle-eyed residents who help. Crooks invariably brag about their ill-gotten gains - sometimes to companions all too willing to trade the information for a reward of up to $2,000. Other times, when crime colleagues quarrel, they'll rat on their former pals out of spite. That's not to say Penticton RCMP deserve no credit. They've deployed their resources where they're most needed and are working with landlords to reduce the chance marijuana grow operations will sprout up in the city. Together, the police and ordinary citizens are making a difference. The challenge now are drugs - which are just as common in the Peach City as they are in Vancouver. A nasty scourge, drugs not only ruin lives but prompt the weak to engage in other criminal activities, like theft. This is one battle that has yet to be won by Penticton. - --- MAP posted-by: Don Beck