Skip to content

RCMP list top four priorities

Sooke RCMP outline their priorities and present March statistics

RCMP Staff Sergeant Steve Wright was before council on April 23 to speak to the detachment’s priorities for 2012.

He introduced the Annual Performance Plan outlining the top four priorities after noting the successes achieved over the past year.

• The number one priority is traffic safety. He said each member would put in one hour on their shift to reduce motor vehicle crashes and there would be more patrols in rural areas. He mentioned the May long weekend as a target for the Integrated Road Safety Unit.

• At number two in the list of priorities is strengthening the relationship with First Nations communities.

• Reduction of substance abuse with youth is the number three priority and the detachment is hoping to put more foot patrols into place over the summer months. The D.A.R.E. and anti-bullying campaigns will be ongoing. Wright said there would be zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol.

• The last priority is for the reduction of property offences, including B&Es,  and vandalism.

“There are major challenges ahead,” said Wright. “We’re providing the best service we can.”

The RCMP, in the monthly report to the mayor for March 2012 report a total of 340 calls or occurrences.

In March the RCMP attended to five assaults; one business B&E, two residential B&Es; and one other B&E; two vehicle thefts; nine thefts from vehicles under $5,000; nine thefts under $5,000; and 13 mischief/property damage calls. To date the leading crimes are mischief/property damage, thefts from vehicles and other, assaults and residential B&Es.

In traffic statistics for March the RCMP responded to 15 motor vehicle incidents (no fatals); one impaired driver, three 215 suspensions and two Liquor Act charges. Police issued 20 traffic warnings, impounded one vehicle and conducted 10 road checks. Forty-seven violation tickets were issued, 19 of them were for speeding, eight seatbelt and eight stop sign violations, three for driving too fast for conditions and two failure to produce driver’s licence. There was one ticket issued for drive without consideration, failure to remain at accident, following too closely, failure to produce insurance, and using electronic device while driving. Driving contrary to restrictions, no insurance and  fail to keep right each scored one violation ticket. In February there were 20 violation tickets issued.