Sicamous RCMP detachment commander Sgt. Murray McNeil attended council’s Committee of the Whole meeting to present the detachment’s quarterly report, which includes statistics and department goals.
He explained that policing goals are set for the province by the E Division, which he has aligned with locally. That includes contributing to safe roads, reducing property crimes – with McNeil’s goal to decrease the total number of such files from 96 last year to 80 – and dealing with domestic abuse.
Locally, he set an additional goal of having his officers increase their involvement with youth in the community, with Const. Thomas Gill being assigned as a liaison to Eagle River Secondary and Const. Andrew Lockhart to Parkview Elementary, an initiative that met with approval from council.
“We’re happy to hear about the youth program,” Coun. Colleen Anderson commented. “That’s wonderful.”
McNeil also outlined the detachment’s preparations for the fast approaching Summer Stomp and Burnout, and has been working closely with event organizer Steve Hammer and town manager Evan Parliament.
“I’m hoping for another good event; no incidents,” he said, adding that to help achieve that he suggested that they expand the liquor licensing to include the entire Stomp grounds, rather than just the beer gardens.
He will, however, have additional officers and members of the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit to ensure that nothing gets out of hand at the weekend event.
McNeil wound up his presentation with a report on staffing, explaining that the detachment would soon have a full complement – four constables, one corporal and one sergeant– with the arrival of Cpl. Wade Fisher in August when he transfers to the detachment from Atlin, B.C.