DRUG CRACK DOWN CONTINUES
Between December 2004 and March 2005 Princeton RCMP have been extremely busy
combating the drug problem within the community.
Police have been targeting and charging those responsible for the production and or trafficking of drugs.
"During this relatively short reporting period the detachment members have executed an unprecedented 23 Controlled Drugs and Substance Act (CDSA) search warrants in and around the Princeton area," says Sgt. Kurt Lozinski.
The warrants were for Production of Marijuana/Trafficking in Marijuana (13), Trafficking in Cocaine (5), Trafficking in Methamphetamine (4) and one warrant for Firearms.
These figures do not include four CDSA search warrants the local members assisted on in Oliver and one CDSA warrant that was executed in Osoyoos.
"This level of enforcement takes a great deal of commitment and dedication from every member of this detachment," Lozinski says.
"Many of these investigations required a great deal of man hours and overtime hours to legally obtain a search warrant, collect evidence and deal with the perpetrators responsible."
"Last year I warned the community members that crystal methamphetamine was beginning to take a strong hold in Penticton and other larger communities in the area. I warned that it was only a matter of time until this horribly addictive and potentially lethal drug would make its way in to our community. At the time of that statement police had suspected two, maybe three subjects in the community that were using this drug. During this crack down it became
apparent that dozens of people in the community, including teenagers, are
experimenting and/or addicted to methamphetamine."
Methamphetamine has become this detachments number one priority. The police
are doing everything they can and are requesting the assistance of every
member of the community to help identify those using, trafficking or
manufacturing this drug.
"This lethal drug is so addictive that with just one dose the person is
addicted."
In addition to drug enforcement and numerous other calls for service the
detachment members were responding to, police arrested and charged 12 Impaired
Drivers during this reporting period.
"I have heard some frustration from around the community in regards to
the aggressive way the police are dealing with impaired drivers,"
Lozinski says.
"Most of these drivers charged were grossly intoxicated with blood
alcohol levels two, three and even four times that of the legal limit. The
police will continue to crack down on impaired drivers and strongly encourage
those to THINK BEFORE THEY DRINK."
Lozinski says their priority is to ensure the streets are safe for everyone.
"I would like to thank all the volunteers of Citizens on Patrol for their
dedication and hard work. This group of volunteers were instrumental in many
of our investigations and by their commitment, observations and diligence
assisted the members and made the streets in Princeton safer for
everyone."
"I would like to personally thank all those who assisted us with
identifying criminal activity within our community and encourage others to
follow their lead. By getting involved you are allowing Princeton to prosper
and grow and making a stance against those who choose to sell drugs in our
community."
Lozinski says he has an open door policy and invites anyone from the community
who would like to discuss how the local detachment is doing and whether or not
they are meeting needs.
"If anyone has other areas of concern that they feel we should be
targeting or checking please contact me directly to discuss them."
COUNCIL ADOPTS WEST NILE PLAN
Princeton will be a participant in the mosquito control program which is meant to reduce the likelihood of anyone contracting West Nile virus.Although there have been no cases in Princeton, Town Council will receive $7,500 to participate in the plan to eradicate mosquitoes.
IS FLY TIME RATIONED?
Local residents who fly remote controlled aircraft are not happy with Town Council's alternative the tailings dam. They are losing expensive equipment in unnecessary crashes due to the poor terrain. They want to use the airport.Steve Kovacs and George White appeared before Council on April 4 to ask Council to allow them to use the airport for two or three days a week, on weekdays when air traffic is reduced. Kovacs said only those who belong to the national group would be permitted, as they have liability coverage up to $5 million. Both White and Kovacs agreed there should not be random use of the airport by unauthorized persons, but feel their club meets all the standards set for airports. Federal regulations permit dual use of small airports, Kovacs told Council, quoting the specific regulation.
Mayor Keith Olsen responded by saying problems arose due to a lack of an agreement about use of the airport. Flyers wanted to use it without permission.
There was some discussion, and Mayor Olsen explained the Town must set up the right situation in order to protect taxpayers from lawsuits. Kovacs and White agreed to meet with a committee from Council. Councillor Ray Jarvis heads the Airport Committee. He and Kovacs will set a meeting date to discuss the issue.
