Welcome to Your Kamloops!

Really Hard to Believe the RCMP Did Not Consult...

After all the growing pains coordinated efforts have been through, it is really hard to believe the RCMP did not consult with social agencies after arresting sex trade workers this past weekend. I am hoping there is some piece of information that did not get included in the article in the newspaper this morning.

I've been very supportive of the proactive efforts of our local detachment. Simply put, they have done an amazing job reducing crime in Kamloops and have been working cooperatively with other community safety partners.

I gotta wonder what happened here. New officer in charge of the arrests? Liason people on holiday?

Committed North Shore Volunteers Need Your Help...

I am a huge admirer of Tom Hammer, Shannon Hammer, and Betty Nelson. They have all played such significant roles in the health of North Kamloops. We shouldn't burn these people out. Kamloops This Week has the story here. I hope they will get some back up support.

The Militarization of City Bylaw Officers?

I've been hearing a few concerns about the "militarization" of the city hall's bylaws department. At the very least, there is some feeling that we should not be replacing the RCMP with bylaw's officers. Bylaw officers currently sport bullet proof (knife proof?) vests emblazoned with the words PEACE OFFICER - and I have heard they may carry handcuffs.

Are these overkill? Are they necessary to do the job in today's times? Are bylaw officers trained in arresting and handcuffing folks? Do Rambo looking bylaw officers unnecessarily scare people or send a message that is too strong?Question to research and ponder. 

Video: Kamloops RCMP Supt Jim Begley Explains Request for More Officers

As part of the 2010 Kamloops budget discussions, our outstanding local detachment has asked for 3 more officers. Councillor Nancy Bepple asks an excellent question of RCMP Supt Begley. Councillor Pat Wallace asks about transient criminals. City Manager Randy Diehl frames up the request in the first clip of the video:

Should We Increase the RCMP Budget in Kamloops?

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.

My Pick for 2009 Kamloops Story of the Year....

Let's go for a really good news story: the amazing success of the Kamloops RCMP in addressing crime in Kamloops in 2009. This has not just been about fighting crime, but it's also been about preventing it. The local detachment's increaasingly holistic prolific offender strategy has been very effective.

I really hope Supt Jim Begley and his people continue working to target the really bad activity and work with social agencies business associations, neighbourhood associations and others to address the rest.

Behind the Awarding of International Award to Kamloops RCMP...

Summary of my notes after Supt Jim Begley's Sept 1st presentation to City Council:

The Kamloops RCMP 2006 strategic planning process has yielded results. Crime is down significantly. The detachment now focuses on proactive policing, monitoring the most profilic offenders and even offering options for them to better their lives. In 2004/2005, calls per shift came in at 120. Now, calls per shift number 60. In 2006, 26% of cases resulted in jail time. In 2008, the percentage is now 45%. In recognition of this incredible performance, the International Association of Police Chiefs has awarded the Kamloops RCMP detachment the 2009 Cisco Community Policing Award for communities in the 50 000 to 100 000 population range. Watch for news on the new RCMP planning process coming soon.

Interesting Recent Issues at Kamloops City Hall - Aug 20th 2009

Just got through writing these up:

Bylaw To Prevent Private Trees from Falling on Public Property
In recent years, City Hall has spent about 6 million dollars on pine beetle removal efforts on community owned land. Now, attention is being turned to another potential hazard - trees on private property that could fall on public property. City Arbourist Greg Houghton has identified over 200 such trees on private property and Council has now given city staff authority to require property owners to take down these trees. Once an order is given, there will be a 21 day window to comply. The average ballpark cost for removing a tree, depending on size and location, is about $2000 according to the city staff report. For more info, call Parks and Rec at (250) 828-3400.

City Upholds Availability of Public Payphones...
City Council discussed issue of safety, accessibility, and crime when talking about a proposed restriction on the payphone at 480 Tranquille Rd. The proposed restriction was to limit the calls from the phone to 911 only from 5pm to 9am. Council voted to keep the phone as is, with no restrictions. The general sentiment seemed to be that public payphone are a necessary service for law abiding citizens, that there already has been a large decrease in public payphones, and that people undertaking criminal activitiy would not stop the activity if the payphone was restricted.


Kamloops Vies for 2015 Canada Summer Games...6000 Volunteers Needed
Kamloops is competing with Kelowna and Prince George to host the 2015 Canada Summer Games. There quite a few steps in the bid process, and the final announcement is slated for August 2010. The games will host about 3400 athletes and coaches who will need support from 6000 community volunteers. If Kamloops is successful, the community is required to spend 3 million dollars on capital / facility improvements. There is an estimated 90 million dollar economic spinoff.

Assorted Highlights from Last Week's Council Meeting

Update on City Recycling Program
City Hall environmental services supervisor Glen Farrow recently updated City Council on the curbside recycling program. A couple of reminders from Glen that plastic bags and styrofoam are not currently accepted under curbside recycling. Many grocery stores will recycle plastic shopping bags. Glen also asks that residents consider breaking down cardboard into pieces no larger than a standard magazine cover. Since the beginning of curbside recycling in Kamloops, recycled materials have increased 225% and there has been a 16% decrease in the annual amount of materials going to the dump. Way to go Kamloops!

City Council Pass Pesticide Use Restriction - to Start in 2010....
Council has approved restrictions on cosmetic, non-health related use of pesticides on residential properties. As of March 15th 2010, only certified applicators will be apply to pesticides within city limits. Notices will need to be posted 24 hours before using pesticides and have to remain for 48 hours after use. There is an exception for edibles - fruit trees, vegetable gardens and the like. For more information, call Karla Hoffman with City Parks and Rec at (250) 828 3888.

City Approves Selective Covert Video Surveillance in Public Facilities
Councillors Denis Walsh and John O'Fee represented two different views on the covert video surveillance. Councillor O'Fee said that he felt that it would be a very rare case to film people secretly and this would need to go through a stringent approval process. Councillor Walsh felt that there was no need, and covert video surveillance could get the city sued. Council approved the policy . For more information, contact Cindy Kennedy at (250) 828-3485

Measuring the True Success of Coordinated Enforcement....

Local RCMP and Valleyview business owners have recently publicly talked about an increase in criminal and "undesirable" (still trying to understand this term) behaviour in Valleyview. They draw a pretty clear cause and effect between increased RCMP patrols downtown and on the North Shore and increases in activity in the east side of town.

I think its important to involve social agencies that can perhaps mitigate undesirable behaviour before it become criminal. And City Hall's coordinated enforcement task force now includes social agency people.

The other angle to this is to really throw the book at people who repeatedly offend, fully understand what they are doing, and don't stop. Part of the Kamloops RCMP's prolific offender strategy involves closer liason and more complete files for crown prosecutors.

I wonder if we are seeing prolific offenders in Valleyview or is this more a social agency intervention case.

Pushing crime around town just doesn't seem to make any sense in the mid to long term.