Pubdate: Wed, 25 May 2005 Source: North Renfrew Times, The (CN ON) Copyright: 2005 The North Renfrew Times Contact: http://www.magma.ca/~drcanrt/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2416 Author: Julie LeConte TOWN SEES STEEP RISE IN DRUG CHARGES Deep River saw a drastic increase in the number of drug related offences in 2004. But the increase may be the result of better policing, not more drug use, members of the Deep River Police told town council last week. Chief Mike Ueltzhoffer and Constable John Dorsch attended council to present the annual police report. The report shows there were four drug related offences in 2003, and 23 offences last year. Chief Ueltzhoffer called it "an issue that needs to be addressed." The number of drug offences may have multiplied almost six times, but the police report attributes the increase to the "direct result of extra effort by front-line officers on patrol." Constable Dorsch added that last year the police were able to stop some of the people responsible for supplying narcotics to the public. "We managed to reach some of the drug dealers and make them accountable for their actions," he said. Drug use was just one issue covered in the annual police report. Last year there were 224 reported criminal occurrences, down from 234 in 2003. However, the five year average for criminal occurrences went up to 187 last year from 185 in 2003. Another disturbing increase was in the violent crime category. There were 26 violent crimes investigated last year - four more than in 2003. According to Chief Ueltzhoffer, the most significant one was "an armed robbery involving a replica handgun." On a positive note, there was a 100 per cent clearance rate among violent crimes, which means that all 26 incidents were resolved. The number of thefts decreased from 97 in 2003 to 68 in 2004. This was "partially a result of presence being provided and results in detecting other violations." The number of serious assaults, that is assaults that cause bodily harm, have gone up slightly. Ueltzhoffer called the issue "a bit of a concern." But he also said that "the fact that we had 100 per cent resolution brings me some satisfaction." - --- MAP posted-by: Beth