RCMP outlines this year’s priorities to CBN Joint Council

By Olivia Bradbury, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

RCMP officers in Conception Bay North plan to make an extra effort this year to check up on people who are out on bail.

That was one of the messages delivered by Sergeant Lynn Gaudet and Staff Sergeant Phillipe Christopher during the force’s regular update to the CBN Joint Council March 26.

Christopher acknowledged there are many concerns in the area, but there are three main areas police want to focus on.

The first one Christopher described as their “offender management initiative.”

Christopher said officers are actively trying to crack down on repeat offenders, which has been a concern raised by council members and the general public at past meetings.

“People who are charged but out on bail, if we go and check on them and find that they’re not complying with their conditions of their release, then they’ll be arrested and sent back to jail,” said Christopher. “Rather than wait for them to break in somewhere, cause an issue or get charged with something else.”

Christopher said the RCMP has no control over people once they are in jail or in court, but they are hoping their efforts to check on them in the community will help curve some of the crime.

The second priority is youth engagement. Christopher said they are hoping to assign one officer to each school in their coverage area. At least once a month, the officers will visit their respective schools and check in with staff, allowing school officials to report any problems they may have. School staff can request presentations and other activities from the officers. The officers can also help staff with safety plans and lockdown drills and familiarize themselves with the layout of their assigned buildings.

Another priority is traffic safety.

“I know there’s issues with impaired drivers and ATV use and speeding and loitering in cars,” said Christopher. “So, we’re going to try to focus some efforts on traffic safety and hopefully get people to be out and visible in the public.”

Christopher said that while some people simply avoid the RCMP if they see them, a more visible police presence may help keep some people honest.

Christopher said the force plans to keep statistics and review their progress on the priority areas every quarter.