I think the Kamloops RCMP has done incredible and amazing work in the last couple of years. The overall crime rate in Kamloops has plummeted. The detachment has been very proactive with targeting prolific offenders and has won international policing awards.
Now, success should perhaps spur more resources. And, in that sense, I am empathetic to the Supt Begley's request to add three more officers to the detachment.
But, I also wonder if there should not be some sort of "keeping the peace dividend" that should not come back to taxpayers. I mean, in an ideal world, we would fund many more police officers to police in a proactive, targeted manner. But, there obviously other budget items that need attention and city council wants to keep the tax rate down. Our crime rate has come down - does the community as a whole support spending more money, perhaps at the expense of other important budget requests, to try to bring it down further. Are we ever safe enough?
I thought Councillor Nancy Bepple asked a great question question to the Supt Begley, asking for some explanation for the added officers. The main explanation I heard was about added paperwork (may have missed something though). I am not sure if there is more paperwork burdens this year than there was in the past.
I've got the video from the exchange. Just need to make it web ready and I will post it.
We will never be " safe enough" in todays world. I do support more money for the RCMP if it is used to curtail the bad driving habits prevelant in this city. It does no good to be safe from crime if your just going to be maimed or killed navigating around our fair city.
Posted by: Gary T | February 19, 2010 at 08:42 AM