The Second Quarter Policing Report, covering Kimberley RCMP activities from April through June, 2016 has been received by Council.
In it, Acting Detachment Commander Cpl. Chris Newel presented the latest crime statistics.
The second quarter was fairly typical — calls for service were up 18 per cent over the first quarter of 2016, but down about 5 per cent from the same quarter last year. In the report, Newel noted that last summer was very busy and he hoped they didn’t see the same spike this year.
Currently, there are six people residing in Kimberley under court conditions. It is the practice of the Kimberley RCMP to keep a close eye on these people to make sure they are keeping to the their conditions.
During the second quarter, 29 compliance checks were done by the officers, two subjects have been charged or are facing charges.
The combined Cranbrook/Kimberley Crime Reduction Unit arrested nine persons involved in five drug trafficking investigations. One of the files was in Kimberley, where two subjects were arrested. That resulted in the seizure of almost 40 grams of MDMA, 400 ml of steroids and 10 grams of cocaine, a significant amount, Newel said.
Over the course of the quarter, officers did 25 foot patrols through various venues, bars and the Platzl. During the school year officers conducted 68 school visits. This can be in the form of informal visits, presentations or meetings. In addition two officers instructed nine DARE lessons to the Grade Five students at McKim Middle School.
Nine impaired drivers were apprehended between April and June, with 128 traffic contacts and six road checks.
“Our Speed Watch volunteers have been actively monitoring speed since March. There has been nine deployments over the three months. Eighteen hundred vehicles have gone through the check, with less than 5% exceeding the speed limit by more than 10 km. Deployments are primarily in the playground/school zone on Rotary Drive, but checks have been done on Norton Ave and Highway 95A near Marysville School.
Currently, the Kimberley Detachment is almost at full staff, something Newel says he has not seen since he arrived in Kimberley.