Pubdate: Tue, 30 Mar 2004 Source: Vermilion Standard (CN AB) Copyright: 2004 Vermilion Standard Contact: http://www.vermilionstandard.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/776 Author: Ryan Jensen RCMP MEMBERS DELIVER 2003 CRIME STATS Vermilion RCMP Sgt. Chuck Jackson along with Cpl. Dave Neigum recently paid a visit to the Vermilion Town Council with the 2003 year-end crime statistics. Vermilion Standard - Vermilion RCMP Sgt. Chuck Jackson along with Cpl. Dave Neigum recently paid a visit to the Vermilion Town Council with the 2003 year-end crime statistics. While the so-called hard drugs, such as crystal meth, have been in the news media lately they may also be making their way into Vermilion. During checkstops and random highway stops, local RCMP made a significant seizure of GHB (more commonly known as the date rape drug), a small amount of crystal meth, and a small amount of crack cocaine. Although these types of drugs may be fairly uncommon in the area, their presence should certainly be a cause for alarm for the whole community. "It's always a concern when you see numbers like those going up," said deputy mayor Neale King. "With the public assistance and knowledge of the potential, hopefully we are able to keep a handle on things." Sgt. Chuck Jackson says the community has to show there is no tolerance for drugs like these in Vermilion. "A zero tolerance by the community is very important," said Sgt. Jackson. "If anyone hears anything about crystal meth, or even crack cocaine for that matter because they are both highly addictive, they need to be able to have the intestinal fortitude to come forward and talk to us. If (crystal meth) gets even a finger hold in a community it will completely destroy it." Theft from motor vehicles was up in 2003 to 16 occurrences from 8 in 2002. Although the numbers have jumped 100 per cent, most of the cases were preventable. "We've got to help ourselves a little bit because it's certainly a crime of opportunity," said Sgt. Jackson. "In other words, if the keys are available, and it's unlocked, hey let's go for a joyride. We're not a society without crime." Overall, in 2003, the Vermilion RCMP had a criminal code solve rate of 58 per cent which was up from 47 per cent in 2002. These figures are even more impressive considering the fact the local detachment was short two members for most of the year. "I think the RCMP are doing a very good job in our community," said King. "I commend them for doing a good job." Even though they were shorthanded, Sgt. Jackson says he has some very talented officers at the local detachment who helped solve many crimes. "We did really well last year, I thought," said Sgt. Jackson. "We have some crackerjack investigators here and they seem to be able to get out there and solve the crimes." According to both town council and the RCMP, a big part of the local success is the positive relationships that have been formed between the community and the local officers. "It's a great team effort," said Sgt. Jackson. "The community supports us, we support the community." "To have an open line of communication is always a good thing," said King. "Our doors are always open if there are concerns." With a full complement of officers for 2004, the impressive crime statistics will hopefully continue. "We should probably see the solve rate even higher in the next year," said King. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake