RCMP promise more cops for CBN
By Mark Squibb
RCMP Assistant Commissioner Pat Cahill last week guaranteed improved policing services across Conception Bay North during a special meeting with the CBN joint council.
The improvements will include the introduction of around the clock policing, as currently there is a window of time each day when police officers are on-call and not actively on duty.
“We are going to get the resources from the government, we’re going to get the minister to sign the cheque, and we’re basically going to set up 24-hour policing, you have my commitment on that,” said Cahill. “It’s going to get better for you guys.”
The announcement was met with applause from the two dozen community representatives and members of the House of Assembly gathered for the meeting.
Speaking with The Shoreline afterwards, Cahill said it will take another eight to 10 new police hires before the Trinity-Conception detachments can commit to around the clock policing.
“Without the resources, you can’t run around the clock,” said Cahill. “And it’s not just about meeting the minimum number, you have to have a buffer zone for sickness, for holidays, for vacation, for training. So, it’s not just about meeting the bare minimum. With a 24-hour policing model here, you won’t have people on-call, so you won’t have people home in bed while there’s a two- or three-hour gap in service delivery. It doesn’t take long for criminals to soon realize that the police are not around, they’re home in bed.”
Cahill said he would also like to see a joint force of RNC and RCMP members that gather intelligence to better hit repeat offenders. He hopes see work on the joint force commence in the next four to five months.
“Prolific offenders are the people doing 80 precent of the crime,” said Cahill. “It’s the same people going into jails and coming out. We all know who they are. We’ve heard that for years.”
Cahill also said he would like to see an active auxiliary program up and running in the province once again. The program saw volunteers help police with initiatives and community events. Bringing back the program, said Cahill, would help free up police time
The assistant commissioner also stressed the importance of reporting crime.
“If you don’t report it, it’s as if it never happened,” said Cahill. “We request resources based on statistical analysis. So, we need all those stats.”
Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Harbour Main MHA Helen Conway Ottenheimer was in attendance, and addressed the council, though she did not specify how much more money government would be committing to improving policing in the area.
“One of the key pillars of our new government has been protecting our communities and keeping our communities safe,” said Conway Ottenheimer. “I believe, and it’s the belief of our premier, that crime prevention is most effective when it’s wholistic, when it’s a community-based initiative.”
To that end, the minister said it’s important that governments and police and community representatives work together to solve issues.
Conway Ottenheimer agreed that a major concern amongst constituents are the career criminals being caught and released time and time again.
The frustration about repeat offenders was echoed by municipal leaders, some of whom said residents no longer feel safe in their communities.
“We have people leaving our community because they don’t feel safe,” said Cupids Mayor Rod Delaney. “What’s coming back from residents is ‘We don’t feel safe.’”
“Our residents are very scared,” said Harbour Grace Mayor Terry Barnes. “We had a murder three years ago in the town of Harbour Grace and we don’t know any more than anybody else in this room. There was a murder in Bay Roberts. We don’t know any more than anybody here… We have no information to pass along, and it’s making us look like fools. You go to a courthouse on a Tuesday or Wednesday, whenever plea day is, and it’s full… I think the government, along with the Justice Minister, should be getting legislation changed. Because they’re going before the judge and getting a slap on the wrist and they’re gone out the door again.”
Police are also looking at re-opening the former patrol office in Old Perlican.
When asked about the increase in crime, Cahill said there are increases specifically in gun crime, as well as drug crime.