Pubdate: Thu, 12 Oct 2006
Source: North Island Gazette (CN BC)
Copyright: 2006 North Island Gazette
Contact:  http://www.northislandgazette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2783
Author: Teresa Bird

PILOT PROJECT TARGETING DRUG DEALERS

PORT McNEILL - An RCMP pilot project is reducing crime in Port 
McNeill detachment area.

Port McNeill is one of two Vancouver Island detachments trying the 
Crime Reduction Strategy in their communities. After a year, Sgt. 
Lyle Gelinas says it is working.

The strategy targeted four areas: drug dealers, alcohol abuse, 
monitoring domestic violence and those who have been issued 
conditions or warrants.

"We've executed five search warrants for drugs, in addition to 
several personal possession charges related to purchasing drugs," 
says Gelinas, who adds that nine people, including two women, were 
arrested in the five drug busts.

"The community has been very helpful, says Gelinas. "It's obvious 
people don't want this kind of activity in the community."

Dealing with alcohol problems has been one of education and 
enforcement, says Gelinas.

"We've been concentrating on those abusing liquor laws, drunk in a 
public place, drinking in public, causing a disturbance while drunk," 
says Gelinas. "The time between the education and the enforcement 
differs depending on the attitude. Some people will learn with a 
warning and others won't."

Incidents of violence in relationships is an issue "extremely dear to 
my heart," says Gelinas. "The detachment and the RCMP take these very 
seriously because they can become very volatile."

Gelinas says the detachment monitors relationships where violence has 
or could become an issue.

"If there is a criminal component we deal with that through the 
courts," says Gelinas, but even when there aren't any charges, police 
make regular visits to the home to confirm it is a safe place. "We 
want to ensure there hasn't been anything in the past and won't be 
anything in the future. We build up a rapport and I know it helps."

Where required, the detachment refers people to things like Victim 
Services, says Gelinas.

Police are also making visits to those who have police or court 
conditions imposed on them to make sure they are complying and 
warrants are dealt with promptly, Gelinas adds.

Gelinas plans to share more of the results from the project with the 
public at an Oct. 27 meeting, beginning at 7 p.m. at Black Bear Resort.

[Sidebar]

Sgt. Lyle Gelinas would like to see a Police Advisory Committee 
formed in Port McNeill to address community issues.

"I formed two Police Advisory Committees while I was in the Gulf 
Islands that were very successful," says Gelinas. "In my experience 
it has been more successful than a community consultive group." A 
community consultive group has been held in Port McNeill in the past.

Gelinas says the committee would meet four times a year to discuss 
issues in the community and find ways to resolve them.

"It's not a tattle-tale group," assures Gelinas. "It's a committee 
that has the community's best interests in mind. We (RCMP) are part 
of this community. We're partners in this community."
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MAP posted-by: Elaine