Penticton South Okanagan Similkameen Regional Detachment. Inspector Brad Haugli delivered the South Okanagan-Similkameen RCMP detachments fourth quarter report to the regional district Protective Services Committee on May 3.
The Keremeos detachment responded to 376 calls for service in the fourth quarter, compared with 253 calls in the fourth quarter of 2010, an increase of 49 per cent.
In total, Keremeos responded to a total of 1446 calls for service in 2011, versus 1281 in 2010, an increase of 12.8 per cent.
Assaults were up significantly in the third and fourth quarters, raising the year’s statistics by 50 per cent over 2010.
No specific cause for the numbers can be identified, but alcohol and domestic violence appear to be factors.
Auto theft returned to normal levels after a steep increase in the third quarter, and the number of vehicle break ins ended the year 14 per cent lower than in 2010. Break and enter complaints were 16 per cent higher on the year over 2010, but had also showed a decline in the fourth quarter.
There were two robberies in Keremeos in the fourth quarter, one involving a 13 year old girl on Oct. 26, who was pushed to the ground and had money taken from her wallet. A male was arrested, charged and is currently out on conditions awaiting a court date.
The second incident took place on December 7, involving an armed robbery of the Subway restaurant.
The suspect was arrested after causing a number of accident on Highway 3, charged and is currently serving a three year jail term.
The Keremeos detachment investigated seven founded drug offenses during the fourth quarter. Three files were related to CDSA trafficking, and one involved cannabis production.
A search warrant executed on a residence in the 500 block of Eleventh Avenue discovered 1.175 pounds of marijuana along with cash and drug paraphenalia.
One 90 day roadside suspension was issued and one 24 hour suspension was issued for drug use. One driver was charged with impaired driving under the criminal code.
Detachment members were involved in several community endeavours during the fourth quarter, including Remembrance Day ceremonies, Christmas Light up, the Christmas dinner held at SESS and at the Lower Similkameen Indian Band.
The Citizens on Patrol program continues to be active, with regular weekend patrols. The detachment conducted over 60 foot patrols during the quarter.
The Restorative Justice Program is under development for the Keremeos area, with training for volunteer facilitators having taken place in February.
There are no chronic nuisance offenders in the Keremeos detachment area at this time.
The Keremeos RCMP detachment is moving forward with the development of the Community Prevention Education Continuum (CPEC).The program is designed to be a sustainable, community led, police assisted, comprehensive youth drug prevention strategy. The DARE program continues to be delivered to Keremeos Elementary School.
Crime Stoppers received two tips relating to events in the Keremeos area in the fourth quarter.