Your chance to take a bite out of crime

The Prince Rupert RCMP is looking for more participants in its auxiliary program.

To give Rupertites an idea as to what is involved as far as comittment and training, the RCMP will hold another information session on Thursday night at Northwest Community College.

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The session which takes place in room 188, gets underway at 7 pm and will provide interested would be applicants with some background on the duties of an auxiliary and how it could lead to a full time position in law enforcement.

The Daily News featured the call for participants as the front page headline story in Wednesdays paper.

MOUNTIES URGE RESIDENTS TO JOIN FIGHT AGAINST CRIME

People are invited to learn what it takes to become an auxiliary
By Kris Schumacher
The Daily News
Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Pages one and two

The Prince Rupert RCMP is still hoping to get several more citizens signed-on to their Auxiliary Constable Program which will commence shortly.

"The last one was held July 24th and was well attended, but we are still a few volunteers short of training a 'troop,'" said Community Policing Officer Krista Vrolyk.

"We are looking for a few more dedicated individuals and will be holding another Auxiliary Constable Info Session tomorrow night at 7 p.m. at Northwest Community College in Room 188."

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Volunteering their time in the community, Auxiliary Constables are citizens who perform authorized functions in support of strategies to enhance public safety in the cities, towns and villages they live in.

While their primary function is to participate in community policing activities aimed at public safety and crime prevention, Auxiliary Constables like Dan Trask and Mike Pilon are also called up when there are big events in town or when serious situations escalate and the police need large numbers to coordinate things. Events like the All-Native Basketball Tournament and Seafest always require additional police presence, as do emergencies like the recent bomb scares and gas leak that required as many officers as possible to assist.

"We ask for a two-year commitment to the program, and it gives some people who are sort of interested in law enforcement a taste of what it's like," said Vrolyk. "Which means essentially, you'll have a year to do auxiliary work, write the exam, and then if successful within a year get a call to go to Depot."

Auxiliary Constables in Prince Rupert are active in crime prevention programs, home and business safety checks, child identification programs, personal safety lectures and demonstrations, community and special events, SpeedWatch as well as police ride-a-long functions.

In order to qualify to take the program, people must be a minimum of 19 years of age, a Canadian citizen, be of good character and reputation and must have a high school diploma or equivalent.

Would-be auxiliaries must also possess a valid B.C. drivers licence, be in good physical condition, and successfully obtain an RCMP security clearance.

"One of the things the RCMP members really enjoy is that these guys are locals. They know who's who, they know the fastest routes and where we might find people," said Vrolyk.

"Their local knowledge really helps us because a lot of us are just coming into town from another community, and most auxiliaries have been here forever."

The RCMP will be offering winter training classes for the Auxiliary Constable Program starting this fall, with the new group graduating in Spring 2009. Anyone with any questions about the RCMP Auxiliary Constable program is asked to attend the information session on Thursday or contact Const. Krista VROLYK at (250)-622-7700.

New staff sergeant a familiar name for the community

The city's RCMP detachment has a new staff Sergeant, a familiar face and name for many Rupertites from a previous tour in the city's marine detachment a number of years ago.

Staff Sergeant Jim Vardy last worked out of Prince Rupert in 1998 when he commanded the Inkster patrol vessel out of Seal Cove, he has returned to the city and will be land based for his second tour of the city.
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His new duties have him managing the day to day operations of the detachment, supervising investigations and making sure that the city's constabulary is following the proper protocols and procedures.

Wednesday's Daily News provided a review of his career so far and his thoughts on what needs to be done locally as far a policing in the city is concerned, as well as a look at the issues that police officers are facing on the local scene these days.

Officer at home in Rupert - and on the open water
By Kris Schumacher
The Daily News
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Pages one and two

With 28 years of police service - five of those being in Prince Rupert - any in the community will be happy to hear that Jim Vardy is back working at the local RCMP detachment.

The new Staff Sergeant at the Prince Rupert RCMP began his career on general duties in the Kootenays, before moving to Campbell River and getting into that detachment's marine section.
Having grown up on the coast of Newfoundland, it's no surprise it was marine work that became his passion and he has spent 17 of his 28 years working with that section of the force in British Columbia.

When he made the move to Prince Rupert in 1993, Vardy had completed his sea time and attained his 350 Ton Master Certificate from Pacific Marine Training Camp in North Vancouver, and became Vessel Commander of the first RCMP catamaran in Prince Rupert, the patrol vessel Higgitt.

And when in 1996 the new RCMP vessel Inkster arrived, Vardy became one of the vessel commanders.

Following his five years of service in the community, he moved back down south to Victoria to work in the Marine Unit there, in order to be closer to the post-secondary educational institutions his teenage children wanted to attend.

When 2004 rolled around, Vardy took the prestigious position of small boat coordinator for RCMP "E" Division, and was responsible for the province's fleet of 91 boats and with ensuring all detachments had the proper equipment and training for their vessels.

In 2005, he decided to make the transition back to general duty and became the detachment commander in Massett on the Queen Charlotte Islands, a role that came with a fair bit more responsibility than he had held in the past.

"Everything falls on the boss' shoulder from the bottom up and the top down, so it's pretty challenging, especially in a small office," said Vardy.

"You have a community you have to satisfy, and we had Massett, Old Massett and Port Clements, and each place has different issues and different services they demand from the police."

That experience in Massett prepared him for his new position here in Prince Rupert, where as Staff Sergeant he oversees the operations of the detachment, ensuring police work gets done, supervising investigations and enforcing protocols.

Since he's been back in the community, Vardy has noticed the changes that have taken place since the mid '90s when the pulp mill was still running full-force and when the downtown core was thriving. He is impressed by the improvements to Cow Bay and the addition of weekly cruise ships, but says most of the policing issues faced by communities on the Queen Charlottes are rooted in the same soil as those in Prince Rupert.

"The problems of drug and alcohol abuse are number one in the Charlottes, and it's number one here," said Vardy. "As a result of that, we have domestic violence and regular violence, all stemming from substance abuse. Trying to mitigate that is a tough thing in this day and age, so we're hoping to involved the community in some of these things by rejuvenating our Citizens On Patrol program, attracting more auxiliary officers and rejuventating our community consulting groups."

With his wife back working in the same ministry office she was at during their previous posting, and their now-fully grown children happy to see them back in the community where they spent their high school years, Vardy couldn't be more content about being back in Prince Rupert. Asked how long he plans to stay, Vardy says he has "no exit strategy" and notes that by the time he completes four years in his new role he'll have the 32 years of service required for retirement.

"Right now, I'm not looking too much to the future, I'm just taking it one day at a time and enjoying working with the good group of members we have here," he said. "My wife and I are both kayakers, so we're out there on Sundays in the harbour. We like the North, we like the slower pace and nature knocking at our doorstep. A lot of people think we're crazy, but you don't rust - it's only a bit of rain."

RCMP explains PRIME-BC system

Last week a new tool for police was introduced as the Prince Rupert detachment joined the rest of the province in the use of PRIME-BC.

A computer based information system; Monday's Daily News outlined the details on the new tool for BC's 7000 RCMP officers as well as local police forces across the province.

Technology gives RCMP the edge
Officers will have vital information at their fingertips in an instant
By Kris Schumacher ,
The Daily News
Monday, March 24, 2008
Pages one and three
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It's been an exciting couple weeks for members of the Prince Rupert RCMP, after they started using a new information database system that promises to increase public safety and maximize police efficiency.

The last of 40 detachments in the North District to go online, Prince Rupert RCMP is now linked to the Police Records Information Management Environment (PRIME-BC) system, an information sharing database that connects them not only to files from the local detachment, but across British Columbia and eventually Canada.

"This new technology will revolutionize the way we do business here in Prince Rupert," said Constable Krista Vrolyk, Prince Rupert RCMP community policing officer.

“The difference the average citizen will see is the way we are enforcing and investigating our files with computer terminals in our vehicles. This means wherever we are, we can access information, so you’ll see many more members visible on the streets conducting our investigations.”

Local RCMP have traditionally relied on their radios for requesting and receiving all of their information while conducting investigations, but they will now have immediate access to the wealth of information in the PRIME-BC system through the computer terminals located in their vehicles.

Vrolyk says often-times members have needed to return to the detachment in order to continue their investigation or retrieve a piece of information, but in many cases now PRIME-BC will eliminate the need for that extra trip back to the office and allow officers to work right from their vehicles.

“I know what we’re doing is not a real sexy crime or breaking news story, but it’s going to lead to some crime breaking news stories in the future,” said RCMP Superintendent Ken Hardy, officer in charge of PRIME-BC for “E” Division.

“This is the latest version of police records management and the unique thing is; all police departments with independence and RCMP detachments are utilizing the same system, so there’s a sharing of information across jurisdictions.

”Nowhere else in the world today does this occur, so it’s truly unique for policing in Canada.”
In addition to making the job of police more efficient and effective, PRIME will also enhance the safety of officers and general public.

Since all the information entered by investigating officers is shared in real time, information on known criminals or suspects is constantly updated giving police a much better idea of what is happening in their own district or across the province. For example, a suspect known to, or wanted by, police may change his appearance or receive a new distinguishing feature, all of which can be shared with RCMP across the province instantaneously.

And he said the new system will safeguard information so that it is on ly seen by the right eyes.
Superintendent Handy said the Departmental Security Branch of the RCMP has built all the necessary firewalls and links to safeguard the information and the transfer of data.

“In my experience over the past three-and-a-half years, I am not aware of any attempt by anybody to breach the system externally,” said Handy. “But that’s not a challenge for the hackers out there.”

RCMP in the Queen Charlotte Islands have also recently started using PRIME, and with the addition of the Kelowna detachment in the very near future, every RCMP detachment in British Columbia will be connected. The total cost of initiating PRIME province-wide is approximately $40 million, with the province paying 70 per cent of that cost and the federal government covering the remaining 30 per cent. Municipal governments also contributed by funding the four days of PRIME training required of their local officers, working out to $185 per employee, per day of training.“We are now closer to a paperless environment than we have ever been before,” said Handy.

“It’s been a significant exercise in change management to train and instruct some 7.000 people across the province. What we’d like the public to appreciate is that in the next days and weeks, as Prince Rupert adapts to this new system people may see routine complaints taking a little longer to be processed. However, there will absolutely no change to police response to emergency situations.

Prince Rupert RCMP use tazer to subdue suspect

The Vancouver Province has details of an incident over last weekend that resulted in the Prince Rupert RCMP using a tazer to subdue a 21 year old male who had allegedly stabbed another man in the face.

After allegedly assaulting an officer and continuing to resist arrest the man was subdued using the electrical device.

The incident was also listed on the RCMP Information website, both reports are listed below..

Police use Taser to subdue suspect
CanWest News Service
Thursday, December 20, 2007

PRINCE RUPERT -- Police used a Taser while arresting a 21-year-old man who allegedly stabbed another man in the face.

Police said they were called to a home in Prince Rupert after a stabbing complaint last weekend. There they found a 41-year-old man with a cut on his face as well as the 21-year-old suspect, said RCMP Const. Krista Vrolyk.

During the arrest, the man punched one officer in the stomach. He continued to resist arrest, refusing to comply with police, said Vrolyk. Police then shot the man with a Taser.

Vrolyk said the two men were acquaintances, and alcohol is believed to be a factor in the stabbing.

From the RCMP information site

Male Arrested for Stabbing At approximately 0230 hours on December 15th, 2007, Prince Rupert RCMP responded to a complaint of a stabbing in the 200 block of 5th Avenue West. Investigation determined that a 41 year old male victim had been stabbed in the face.

RCMP attended the scene and advised a 21 year old male that he was under arrest for assault with a weapon. During the arrest, the male suspect displayed combative behaviour by swinging fists - striking one of the police officers with a blow to the stomach.

Members on scene called for additional backup units to assist in securing this violent individual. The male continued to resist arrest refusing to comply with verbal commands and continued punching and kicking at the Members.

After attempts to secure the suspect using empty hand control techniques were proven ineffective, the male was subsequently brought under control using a Conducted Energy Weapon and taken into custody without further incident.

Cst. Krista VROLYK Cell: (250)-622-7700
Prince Rupert RCMP Phone: (250)-627-0700
Media Relations Officer
100 6th Avenue West Prince Rupert, B.C. V8J 3Z3

RCMP issue public warning about returning resident

The long running saga of Ronald Lawrence McKay gained another chapter this week, as the man described as a dangerous sex offender once again had his picture posted and details of his potential risk released to the media.

McKay was most recently convicted on charges of drug trafficking in July and spent four months in jail at the Prince George Correctional facility. Upon his release he relocated back to Prince Rupert on October 10.

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Local's might be a little surprised at the rather short period of incarceration provided by the courts on his latest criminal activity, especially when considering his past record. It might be the kind of issue that will come up again in the future, as the new Conservative crime bill works its way through the Parliamentary process.

The Rupert detachment of the RCMP is reminding the public of the numerous court orderd conditions in effect and ask the public to contact them if they should see Mr. Mckay in violation of his terms of release.

The full story was presented in Wednesday's Daily News.

Police issue rare public warning as man returns
The Daily News
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Page one

The RCMP has issued a public interest warning under the Privacy Act of Canada regarding a man who they say is a dangerous sex offender who poses a high risk of serious violence.
In July, 2007, Ronald Lawrence McKay was charged by the Prince Rupert RCMP for Trafficking in Cocaine and received a four-month jail sentence.

He was released from Prince George Regional Correctional Facility on Oct. 10, and is now residing in Prince Rupert once more.

In January 2000, McKay was convicted of three charges, including Assault, Assault with a Weapon, and Sexual Assault with a Weapon. After serving a seven-year sentence, he was released from custody in January 2007 and moved to Prince Rupert.

Ronald McKay is classified by police as Highly Dangerous to the Public, because the authorities believe there is a high risk that he will re-offend violently against a female, possibly in the form of a sexual assault.

McKay has an extensive criminal history that includes violent sexual offences as well as weapons-related offences.

He is the subject of many court-ordered conditions, and the Prince Rupert RCMP asks the public to note any suspicious behavior on McKay's behalf, including but not limited to a breach of the following conditions (people are asked to call the detachment to report breaches):

To keep the peace and be of good behavior.

Not to possess, carry, or own any weapons including knives except for carving and for the immediate preparation and consumption of food.

Not to consume or possess any alcohol or controlled substances.

Not to attend any licenced premises or establishment where alcohol is the primary commodity for sale.

Not to be outside his residence between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.

To immediately inform a Probation Officer of a relationship with any intimate partner and to consent to that partner being informed of his Criminal Record in the presence of a Probation Officer.

Not to possess any needles or syringes.

Must reside in a place approved by a Probation Officer and must not change that address without prior written approval of a Probation Officer.

Not leave B.C. without approval of a Probation Officer.

Any additional questions can be directed to Cpl. Mike Traas of the Prince Rupert RCMP at 627-0768, or 622-8952.

Rule number one: whenever on the run from the law, always do up your seatbelt!

Sometimes the cases just seem to solve themselves, an Alberta couple may very well be home for Thanksgiving, though they may not like the travel arrangements that are about to be made for them .

The Monday Daily News has the details of an arrest last week of a couple from Alberta who were wanted on Alberta and British Columbia-wide arrest warrants.

Their days of freedom came to an end after they were caught in a seatbelt check on Fulton Street, allegedly not wearing the car restraint devices. Their decision to spurn the seat belt laws of the province have landed them in a hotter pot of water than simple traffic infractions.

Seatbelt check nets pair
The Daily News
Monday, September 24, 2007

A married couple who were allegedly on the run from authorities in Alberta had been laying low in Prince Rupert since January of 2007, according to Prince Rupert RCMP.

Glenn John Nielsen and his wife Jacoba Paulina Nielsen were pulled over by RCMP for the driver's alleged failure to wear a seatbelt in the 600 block of Fulton Street.

Police then identified Glenn Nielsen as being wanted and the subject of an Alberta and British Columbia-wide arrest warrant.

Police said further investigation revealed that Jacoba Nielsen was also wanted on two unendorsed warrants.

The couple was arrested without incident and appeared before the Prince Rupert Provincial Court on Sept. 20. They have been charged with theft over $5,000, the aggregate amount of which exceeds $180,000, in addition to possession of stolen property over $5,000. The Nielsens remain in police custody and are scheduled to be escorted to Alberta to be dealt with according to law.

If anyone has additional information pertaining to this investigation please contact Crimestoppers at 250-627-8477 or the Prince Rupert R.C.M.P. at 250-627-0700.

In custody death to be investigated in Fort St. John

The North District Major Crime Unit and B.C. Coroners Service are investigating an incident in Fort St. John early Tuesday morning, which saw an unidentified man die of cardiac arrest while in the custody of members from that city's detachment.

The incident is the latest in recent times of a death while in custody and no doubt will be viewed with close scrutiny from the media and the public, considering the high profile deaths in the North of the last few years.

The most recent hearing in the North, was this spring's inquest into the Ian Bush shooting in Houston in October of 2005.

The Tuesday night incident marks the second time in a little less than a year that a someone has died while in custody in Fort St. John, a coroner's inquest is about to get underway next month into the death of Christopher Jickels, who became unresponsive while in a jail cell and later died in September 2006.

The CBC website had full details on the Tuesday morning incident and the RCMP website also has posted the information release from the Fort St. John detachment, both of which are provided below.

Fort St. John man dies in police custody
RCMP investigating circumstances surrounding death
Last Updated: Tuesday, August 28, 2007 9:03 PM PT

CBC News
A man died in hospital after being taken into police custody in Fort St. John, B.C., early Tuesday morning, police say.

RCMP in the northeastern B.C. community responded to a complaint about a man yelling and smashing on store windows on Tuesday morning at around 1 a.m. PT.

When they arrived at the scene, the man appeared agitated and when they tried to subdue him, he became combative, biting and kicking at the officers, police said.

Police then used a restraining device and the man fell unconscious.

According to a statement on the RCMP website, he woke up as paramedics arrived, but then went into cardiac arrest and died in hospital.

Police are not releasing the name of the male until his next of kin are notified.

The North District Major Crime Unit and B.C. Coroners Service are investigating the incident, which follows the recent conclusion of an inquest into the death of 22-year-old Ian Bush, a Houston, B.C., resident who died while in police custody in October 2005.

Bush was shot in the back of the head by Const. Paul Koester while the two were alone in the RCMP detachment in Houston. Koester says he shot Bush in self-defence.

Next month, a coroner's inquest in Fort St. John will examine the circumstances that led to another man's death while in police custody.

Christopher Jickels became unresponsive while in a jail cell and later died in September 2006.

In Custody Death

Fort St. John, BC: Unidentified suspect dies in police custody. The North District Major Crime Unit and the BC Coroner Service are investigating.

August 28, 2007

On August 28th, 2007 at approximately 00:50 am, Fort St. John RCMP responded to a complaint of a male walking down the main street, yelling and banging on the windows of several businesses.

Witness accounts also indicated that this male had been seen smashing several windows to various businesses before the arrival of police.

Upon arrival, the male appeared agitated and was observed carrying several large rocks. He was instructed by police to put the rocks down which he complied with.

Before police had a chance to apprehend the suspect, he ran away. Police caught up to the suspect and a struggle ensued. The attending police officers handcuffed the suspect and attempted to put him in the back of the police car. The suspect was very combative and attempted to kick and bite the police officers several times.

The RCMP members attempted to restrain the suspect using a RIPP Hobble RCMP Approved Restraint Device.

Before they were able to finish restraining the suspect, it was noted that the suspect was no longer conscious.

An ambulance was called immediately and attended the scene. Before the arrival of the ambulance the suspect regained consciousness and remained combative with the members and later with the ambulance attendants. The suspect went into cardiac arrest before getting into the ambulance and was pronounced dead at Fort St. John Hospital.

Police are not releasing the male’s name until his next of kin has been notified.

As with any death in police custody, the North District Major Crime Unit and the BC Coroner Service will conduct a thorough investigation.

An Independent Officer Review has been ordered and an officer will be assigned to review this incident.

Media inquiries can be directed to Cst Annie Linteau, “E” Division Strategic Communication Section, (604)264-2929.

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-->Annie Linteau, Cst.Strategic Communications

5255 Heather StreetVancouver, B.C. V5Z IK6

Phone: (604) 264-2929Fax: (604) 264-3200

Email: media.webmaster@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

Reduced numbers try to hold the line on crime

With one police officer for every 538 Rupertites, the local detachment of the RCMP with its 28 members, is currently operating at below the normal staffing requirements and lower than the average ratio in many other regions of the province.

Across BC the number of municipal and federal (RCMP) officers on duty has increased, that hasn't been the case in Prince Rupert which reduced its complement over the last year and a half.

While the staffing reductions which took place back in 2006 are considered a temporary reduction, a return to the full complement of 36 is not expected to be complete until 2010, three years from now.

As for crime it seems that in some instances the streets are getting a little meaner out there.

The current rate of reported crime in Prince Rupert stands at around 200 crimes per thousand people, a level that it has been at for roughly the last five years. Though the number of Criminal Code offences in 2005 were higher than the number from 10 years prior. While violent crimes increased from 2004 to 2005 as did sexual assaults, though the numbers for non sexual assaults increased only slightly and in fact have dropped over the last few years.

Property crimes seem to be on the decline from ten years ago, though there has been a spike in property offences over the course of the last reporting period. With an increase from 780 in 2004 to 900 in 2005, though they are dramatically reduced from 1996 when 1,476 crimes were reported.

A similar story exists in break and enters which rose from 158 in 2004 to 199 in 2005, but are still down by a significant number from the 368 reported in 1996

The Daily News featured all the number crunching on the front page of Wednesday's paper as well as providing an update on the plans to relaunch the Citizens on Patrol program in the city to help keep some extra eyes and ears on the streets of Rupert.

RUPERT POLICE DO MORE WITH LESS AS CRIME HELD IN CHECK
By Kris Schumacher
The Daily News
Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Pages one and three

The province of British Columbia can breathe a little easier knowing that the crime rate last year was one of the lowest reported in the last 30 years and locally too crime has remained level, despite a reduced number of officers.

The most recent statistics on crime in B.C. show an overall 5 per cent decline in crime in 2006 compared to 2005. With the provincial average now at 113.6 crimes per 1,000 people, this continues an annual 5 per cent declining crime rate trend that the province previously experienced between the years of 2004 and 2005.

According the British Columbia 2006 Crime Report released by the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General's Policing and Community Service Branch, the crime rate in B.C. decreased steadily through the 1990s to a low of 117 reported in 1999, but increased a total of 10 per cent over the following five years to a high of 125.4 in 2004. The last two years have seen a substantial decrease in the province, which historically has some of the highest crime rates for a Canadian province.

Although the numbers of both federal and provincial RCMP members have increased in B.C., the number of police in Prince Rupert has not followed suit.

The total RCMP Federal Force in B.C. increased from 848 in 2004 to 872 in 2005, and the total RCMP Provincial Force increased from 1,753 in 2004 to 2,047 in 2005.

However, the Prince Rupert detachment has actually decreased from the 36 members it held in 1996, to only 28 members as of January 2006. This means based on 2005 population figures, there's only one officer per 538 Rupertites, which is substantially fewer officers than the provincial requirement.

"The caseload here would actually be higher [than reported] because our numbers are lower," said Sergeant Bob Shedden of the Prince Rupert RCMP.

"There should be 36 but there's only been 28 for the last year-and-a-half. We're going to slowly start climbing back up to that 36, and by 2010 we'll be back up, so it's just a temporary thing."

Prince Rupert's crime rate hasn't changed much between 2002 and 2006, hovering right around the 200 crimes per thousand people mark during those five years.

However, even though the population has decreased from 17,397 in 1996 to 14,974 in 2006, the number of Criminal Code offences in 2005 were higher than the number from 10 years prior. Similarly, from 1996 to 2005 the annual crime rate increased by close to 50 crimes per thousand.

"It's hard to explain that, you'd think that if the population goes up the crime rate goes up, but that's not necessarily true," said Shedden. "There's all kinds of socio-economic things. If you're in a community where there's lots of employment, your crime rate may actually drop even though your population increases."

When looking at individual types of crime, numbers really do fluctuate. The number of violent crimes increased from 429 in 2004 to 451 in 2005, and the number of sexual offences increased from 30 to 44. The amount of non-sexual assaults increased slightly from 393 in 2004 to 395 in 2005, but is substantially decreased from the 459 in 2002.

While property crimes increased from 780 in 2004 to 900 in 2005, they've greatly decreased from the 1,476 reported in 1996. In a similar fashion, break and enter offences rose from 158 in 2004 to 199 in 2005, but are still down dramatically from the 368 reported in 1996.

Motor vehicle theft locally more than doubled from 15 in 2004 to 32 in 2005, and general thefts increased from 511 to 591. Thefts from within motor vehicles also increased in 2005 from the previous year by 93 cases, but decreased by almost 100 cases from the 290 reported in 1996.

"Our crime stats like property crimes are below the average of the province, but our persons crimes which are assaults and stuff are higher than average, so that's the gist," said Shedden. "We're starting to notice an increase with more activity in town."

CITIZENS URGED: STEP UP AND STEP OUT ON PATROL
By Kris Schumacher
The Daily News
Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Page one

In an effort to get Prince Rupert's Citizens On Patrol program back up and running, the RCMP is requesting that anyone interested in volunteering in the community gets in touch with the local detachment.

While Prince Rupert's overall crime rates have remained much the same during the last decade, the number of police officers in the city has fallen sharply, and the lack of manpower is something that some residents are concerned about.

The coming year will see local law enforcement target many of the long-standing priorities, but officers hope they will be getting even more public assistance.

"We're always doing drug enforcement, that's a goal because there are lateral crimes like property crimes that are related to drug issues," said Sergeant Bob Shedden on what the RCMP is hoping to accomplish in the coming year.

"We get concerned about the amount of vandalism, and we're doing some programs with the city, working to help with that.

"And the violent crimes are something we're worried about. Coming up with prevention for violence is more difficult, but it's something we're aware of, something we'd like to do something about through education and enforcement."

For those Prince Rupert residents interested in becoming a part of the solution by joining Citizens On Patrol, there will be a few requirements they'll be expected to meet before they can actively begin patrol.

"They would be 19 years of age or older, a resident of the Prince Rupert area or owner/operator of a business in the Prince Rupert area, be of good character, and pass the security screening," said Constable J. Starr.

"Also they would abide by the rules and regulations of the patrol. They are required to attend an interview, and be prepared to testify as a witness before court."

However, anyone with dreams of becoming an ad hoc police officer need not apply. The RCMP does not want citizens getting involved in the front line apprehension of criminals.

"We want them on the sidelines and out of harm's way, so we can do some more pro-active policing in that way," said Starr.

"Historically, there's been street walk, speed watches, night and day patrols, stuff like that."

There will also be 12 modulars that volunteers would have to go through to learn proper procedures, such as effective patrolling, how to take notes and communicate, how the stolen auto program works, and other details of that nature.

Those interested can find out more by contacting either Const. R Scarlett or Const. J Starr at 627-0700, or people can drop-in at the RCMP detachment.

IRSU expects a busy weekend

The traffic enforcement unit of the local RCMP has already been seen in some unusual spots around town, and the plan is to keep up that visibility through the long weekend.

The RCMP and ICBC are urging British Columbia's drivers to take it easy this weekend and make sure that they are travelling safely and legally.

Speeding seemed to be on the minds of the local Integrated Road Safety Unit on Saturday as the bright yellow jackets and radar guns were spotted at a number of surprise locations around town, with particular interest being dedicated to the the park zones and their daylight hours reduced speed limits.

The weekend blitz will include seat belt checks and roadblocks looking for impaired drivers as well.

The Daily news had a piece on the provincial plans in Friday's paper.

Police put enforcement in high gear for BC Day
The Daily News
Friday, August 03, 2007

Page one

RCMP all over the province will be out in full force B.C. Day long weekend in an effort to ensure everyone has a safe weekend.

The increased presence and roadblocks during the summer season weekends has been a success so far. There was only one death reported during the May long weekend, and the more recent Canada Day holiday weekend was also rather quiet in B.C.

But that doesn't mean ICBC nor the RCMP intends to take a break with the latest summer weekend about to take place. ICBC is once again encouraging all motorists to take extra care this weekend, and to avoid high-risk driving behaviours, including drinking and driving.

"There are serious consequences if you drink and drive," said Solicitor General John Les. "Don't ruin your long weekend by getting a driving suspension, having your car impounded, or much worse, killing yourself or someone else. Please drive responsibly."

According to ICBC, during the past five years (2002-06), there were on average 547 injuries and six fatalities in 1,690 vehicle accidents during the B.C. Day long weekend. These crashes cost ICBC and B.C. drivers more than $14.2 million in claims.

"Bad driving habits affect everyone's insurance rates," said Nicolas Jimenez, ICBC's director of road safety and loss prevention.

"ICBC invests in road safety to keep rates low and stable, but motorists need to do their part by driving safely."

Locally, it's expected that the Integrated Road Safety Unit will be busy in and around the Prince Rupert area to ensure residents enjoy a safe long weekend.

Car crunch at McBride and sixth

There was a fair bit of excitement across from the RCMP detachment today. With a dramatic looking sight, of the picture of a transport truck running over the top of a compact car at the Prince Rupert Library and McBride this afternoon.

In what appears to be an incident of a truck turning right and the car being in the wrong place at the wrong time, a trailer from a transport truck ran over the top of the roof of the car shearing a portion of it off.

For those that need visuals, one of the fine citizens of the htmf was quick to their camera and computer, with a sample of the carnage. The next best thing to a traffic camera. The reports from the scene have it that no one was injured, fortunately, but we suspect they would have been a wee bit shaken over the whole episode.

You can check out the photos from htmf here.

Local RCMP would like your attention July - September 2007

We will archive the press releases and information provided from our local detachment every three months, this session provides information from July through to September 2007.

So we'll provide a link to the site through our portal, you will find it permanently placed on the right hand side column in our Podunk Service Centre. All of the information comes from the RCMP's BC Regional website.

August 22, 2007

Alaskan resident arrested trying to smuggle drugs out of Canada
August 14th, 2007, Prince Rupert BC-

An investigation at the Alaska Ferry Terminal in Prince Rupert resulted in the seizure of approximately one and a half kilograms of marihuana. United States Border Protection Officers became suspicious of a person in a vehicle attempting to board the ferry, on route to Alaska.

The Canadian Border Services Agency were called to attend and, utilizing their newly arrived canine unit, uncovered the drugs hidden inside of a tire in the trunk of the car. The lone occupant of the vehicle, a 40 year old male from Ward Cove, Alaska , was arrested and turned over to the Prince Rupert Detachment of the RCMP, along with the drugs.

Charges, under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, for possession of a drug for the purpose of exporting, are being recommended to Crown Counsel. The Alaska resident is due back in court on November 26th.

Steve Richards, Cst.Prince Rupert Media Relations / Community Policing
100 6th Ave WEstPrince Rupert, BC V8J 3Z3
Phone: (250)627-0700
Fax: (250)627-3013
Email: media.webmaster@rcmp-gr-.gc.ca

August 21, 2007

Search continues for Canada Wide Warrant suspect
August 21, 2007
Fraser Lake, BC:

The RCMP are currently trying to locate 21-year-old Richard Dean Zagwyn, also known as Richard Willier who is wanted on a Canada wide warrant for a Parole Violation.

Members of the Fraser Lake Detachment responded to a report of a single vehicle crash on Stella Road located on the north side of Fraser Lake yesterday afternoon. The driver of the vehicle fled the scene into the woods and soon after shots were heard. No one was injured and the suspect remains at large at this time.

Fraser Lake RCMP with the assistance of neighbouring RCMP Detachments and North District personnel are currently trying to locate the suspect involved.

Fraser Lake RCMP are also trying to locate Richard Dean Zagwyn whom they believed is a person of interest in this investigation.

Mr. Zagwyn was last seen in the Vanderhoof area on August 18th, 2007 and stated that he was planning on hitchiking to Fraser Lake.

He is wanted on a Canada-wide warrant for a Parole Violation and is currently prohibited from being in possession of firearms.

(Pictures and description previously released)

The public is to consider Mr. Zagwyn armed and dangerous and they are asked to not approach him. Anyone who has information about Mr. Zagwyn’s whereabouts is asked to contact police immediately.

Roadblocks have been set up and all residents of the immediate area have been personally spoken to by police and kept appraised of the situation. We are working to ensure that the situation ends peacefully and without injury. To that end, a limited amount of information has been released to the Media.

In order to allow Fraser Lake RCMP to deal with the situation and other policing needs, media relations is being handled by "E" Division Media Relations Officer Cst. Annie Linteau who can be reached at (604)264-2929.

Annie Linteau, Cst.Strategic Communications
5255 Heather StreetVancouver, B.C. V5Z IK6
Phone: (604) 264-2929Fax: (604) 264-3200
Email: media.webmaster@rcmp-grc.gc.ca


RCMP seek public’s assistance in locating Richard Zagwyn
August 21, 2007
Fraser Lake, BC:

The RCMP are currently trying to locate 21 year old Richard Dean ZAGWYN, also known as Richard WILLIER, and are seeking the public’s assistance. ZAGWYN was last seen in the Vanderhoof area on August 18, 2007 and stated that he was planning on hitchhiking to Fraser Lake.

He is wanted on a Canada-wide warrant for a Parole Violation and is currently prohibited from possession firearms. ZAGWYN is 5’10” (180 cm), 170 pounds (82 kg) with brown hair, brown eyes and a medium complexion. Photographs of ZAGWYN are available below as Attachments 1 & 2.

The public is to consider ZAGWYN armed and dangerous and they are asked to not approach ZAGWYN and to instead call police immediately if they have any information with respect to his whereabouts.

Released by: Cst. Annie Linteau “E” Division - Strategic Communications
Phone: (604) 264-2929

Attachment

Attachment
.
Webmaster "E", DivisionCommunications Section
5255 Heather St.Vancouver, BC V5Z 1K6
Phone: (604)264-2929Fax: (604)264-3200
Email: media.webmaster@rcmp-grc.gc.ca



July 30, 2007

Two Arrested during RCMP Investigation into Trafficking in Prince Rupert
Monday, July 30, 2007

In the early morning of July 25th, 2007 the Prince Rupert RCMP General Investigation & Drug Section executed three search warrants, as part of an investigation into the sales of cocaine from a residence in the 800 block of Fulton Street, Prince Rupert.

Three search warrants were executed on three separate residences. Irving Alexander (Scotty) BARTON was arrested and charged with the possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking cocaine and evading police arrest. Police seized cocaine, marihuana, and a prohibited weapon during the search of the residences. Police also seized more than $55,000.00 in Canadian Currency believed to be proceeds of organized criminal activity.

A second person was arrested and subsequently released on a Promise to Appear. Prince Rupert RCMP will be recommending charges of Trafficking in a Controlled Substance and Possession of Proceeds from the Trafficking of Controlled Drugs and Substances against the 49 year old man from Prince Rupert. The investigation continues into the sales of cocaine in the area.

Those who have information pertaining to this are encouraged to contact Constable Kelly GRANT of the Prince Rupert RCMP General Investigations Section at 250-624-0700 or CrimeStoppers at 627-8477. For Cst Grant Prince Rupert GIS

-30-

Steve Richards, Cst.Prince Rupert Media Relations / Community Policing
100 6th Ave WEstPrince Rupert, BC V8J 3Z3
Phone: (250)627-0700Fax: (250)627-3013
Email: media.webmaster@rcmp-gr-.gc.ca


July 9, 2007

Emergency Response Team Safely Arrests Male near Moricetown, BC
Monday July 9, 2007

Smithers, B.C.: One 65 year old Moricetwon resident is in custody after the execution of an arrest warrant on a rural property near Moricetown, BC early this morning. Members of the Prince Rupert Emergency Response Team attend the property of 65 year old Norman RENAUD at approximately 7:30 a.m. Monday July 9, 2007. Members were executing an arrest warrant for Mr. Renaud issued after the alleged assault of an RCMP member on June 26, 2007.

Following a routine traffic check, an altercation took place between the uniformed police officer and the accused punched the officer in the head. The accused then threatened to kill the officer and walked back into his wooded property. He returned a short time later to the location of the assault armed with a firearm and upon being observed by responding members again walked back into the woods on his property.

Given the nature of the assault and possibility of the discharge of firearms, police set up a response team to assess the risk factors. Until a safety assessment could be done, Highway 16 was temporarily closed while the investigation continued. After some time, and some information gathering, RCMP officers strategically took extra precautions to avoid injury or death to all parties. The parties being the suspect, the public, and the police officers themselves.

Many journalists were getting pieces of unconfirmed information and were inquiring with the RCMP to determine it’s accuracy. Our response was that due to safety concerns we could not discuss the nature of the investigation. It is important to advise you that the investigators consulted with the RCMP Behavioural Sciences Team prior to releasing any details regarding this criminal investigation. The RCMP Behavioural Sciences Team determined that this male was the type of individual who was unpredictable and would resort to violence if he felt trapped and /or confronted by authority figures.

As a result, Mr. RENAUD was taken into custody without incident outside of his residence by the members of the Prince Rupert Emergency Response Team and is now facing 4 counts including: Possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace, Obstruction of Justice, Assault of a Police Officer and Uttering Threats.

The investigation is continuing and police are in the process of executing a search warrant on Mr. RENAUD’s property.

Additional firearms charges are possible. The investigation is continuing.

Released by: Sgt. Pierre Lemaitre “E” Division Media Relations
Phone (604)264-2929

Webmaster "E", DivisionCommunications Section
5255 Heather St.Vancouver, BC V5Z 1K6
Phone: (604)264-2929Fax: (604)264-3200
Email: media.webmaster@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

July 3, 2007

Suspicious fire damages local building
July 2nd, 2007, Prince Rupert, BC-

At approximately 3:00 am, Monday, July 2nd, the Prince Rupert Fire Department was called to a fire in the 200 block of 1st Ave West, at the construction site of the new Casino.

The fire was quickly extinguished by Fire Fighters, limiting the damage that was caused to the building.

The RCMP were contacted to investigate the source of the fire. With assistance from the Prince Rupert Fire Department, an RCMP investigation has been determined that the fire was intentionally set.RCMP investigators have seized evidence to examine it for fingerprints.

Possible arsons are taken very seriously by police, due to the high potential for serious property damage and risk to the safety of the public. Police are asking for the public's assistance in locating the suspect(s) in this investigation.

Anyone that may have seen or heard anything suspicious in the area is asked to contact Cst Richards of the Prince Rupert RCMP at 627-0700.

People wanting to remain anonymous can call Crimestoppers at 627-8477.

Crimestoppers does not require that you leave your name and you may be eligible for a cash reward.

Steve Richards, Cst.Prince Rupert Media Relations / Community Policing
100 6th Ave WEstPrince Rupert, BC V8J 3Z3
Phone: (250)627-0764
Fax: (250) 627-3013
Email: media.webmaster@rcmp-gr-.gc.ca