PORT HARDY – Police will mount bicycles and cruise bars to curb public drunkenness, Staff Sgt. Anna-Marie Mallard told Port Hardy Council April 26.
Mallard presented the detachment's strategic goals for 2011-2012, identifying four goals for the community, starting with combatting public intoxication.
"The community has identified the intoxicated people due to alcohol to be one of the main policing issues in Port Hardy," reported Mallard. "Substance abuse is the common denominator of many other crimes and social issues. By focusing our resources in this area we are striving to reduce the number of intoxicated people in public with a view to address some of the alcohol-related issues."
In an accompanying quarterly report, detachment statistics showed 90 public intoxication cases since January, the most of any dealt with by police.
To address the issue, a three-part action plan is being adopted. Police plan to identify the most popular locations for public intoxication and monitor those areas with increased foot patrols.
"As well, we will schedule bike patrols in the popular areas as well as trails around Port Hardy," said Mallard in the plan. "Members will conduct regular bar walks at local licenced establishments." The detachment will also develop drug intelligence to address some of the illicit drug use in the community.
The other three goals in the plan include curbing traffic violations, reducing crime and maintaining a presence in First Nations communities.
Highway and school zone patrols are planned to address traffic issues.
In reducing crime, Mallard reported that "safe homes are a priority, and by focusing our resources on habitual offenders, a reduction in crimes against persons will be realized."
Mallard said prolific offenders will be identified and information shared among policing agencies. As well, high-risk domestic violence offenders on probation or conditions will be closely monitored.
The quarterly stats punctuated the need for more to be done to reduce crime in the community.
"A breakdown of the files generated during this quarter includes 22 assaults, two sexual assaults, 13 impaired driving, three missing persons, two break and enters to a business, four break and enters to residences and ... 26 Mental Health Act (attempted suicide) files," said Mallard.
On a more positive note, Mallard's detachment is building relations with the First Nations communities, with a greater presence in schools and community events in consultation with band offices and chiefs and councils.