Pubdate: Wed, 18 Jun 2008 Source: Stettler Independent (CN AB) Copyright: 2008 Stettler Independent Contact: http://www.stettlerindependent.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2445 Author: Richard Froese DRUGS ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT PROBLEM Fighting crime and major issues of drugs, thefts, break-ins and traffic are top priorities for the County of Stettler and Stettler RCMP. "We have a serious problem with illegal drugs in the Stettler region," said Stettler RCMP Sergeant Rowland Schmidt, speaking to county council at its regular meeting June 11. Members of council are very concerned with illegal drugs that are affecting many people and many communities in the region. "When students as young as Grade 5 are dealing with drugs in schools, we have a problem," said Councillor Earl Marshall. Dealing with drugs will remain an issue of utmost importance for local police, according to RCMP. "We will always have drugs as a priority," said Sergeant Schmidt. "We have to respond to the drug issue." Local police officers are very keen to tackle the drug problem, he said. Marijuana, crack and cocaine are prominent in the region, with some crystal meth, said Sergeant Schmidt. Drug Awareness Resistance Education (DARE) program in local schools is helping to teach Grade-5 students about the negative affects of using drugs, he said. Rising problems with drugs could likely be related to the sharp 30 per cent increase in reported property crimes of break-ins, thefts and possession of stolen property in 2007 over 2006. "The reasons we could have more property crimes may be because our population is increasing, we have more drug issues and property crimes help pay for drugs, and we have more transient people," said Sergeant Schmidt. However, the increase in property crime may not be true reflection, said one councilor. "A lot of minor property crimes in rural areas are not reported to police by people,' said Councillor Dave Grover. "We encourage everyone to report all crimes and suspicious activity," said Sergeant Schmidt. "We want to deal with property crime and theft." Anyone with information on any criminal or suspicious activity is requested to immediately phone Stettler RCMP at 742-3382 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-877-TIPS (2477) or on the website at tipssubmit.com. Traffic and pedestrians are other concerns of county council and Stettler RCMP. "We have stepped up enforcement for impaired driving and speeding," said Sergeant Schmidt. He is pleased that the number of collisions in this rural area is low despite the high population. "We are happy with the low number of fatal and injury-related collisions," he said. Sergeant Schmidt noted that for violations on Highway 12 and Highway 56 in the county, officers are registering the location as the County of Stettler as that would funnel the fines into Stettler county. Councillor Blake Chapman will also present the county concerns to the Stettler RCMP community advisory committee as the county representative. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom