Getting drunks off the street is still the the No. 1 priority for RCMP, Port Hardy’s top cop told district council.
Staff Sgt. Anna-Marie Mallard told said Mounties are looking to identify the most popular locations for public intoxication and monitor those areas by increased foot patrols, she said during council’s regular meeting Aug. 9.
“As well,” she said, “we will schedule bike patrols in the popular areas as well as trails around Port Hardy.”
However, when Mayor Bev parnham asked if the bike patrols have hit the streets yet, Mallard admitted they had not because of stretched resources.
During the second quarter of 2011 — from April until June, the Port Hardy Detachment opened 1021 files.
Those included 26 assaults, three sexual assaults as well as police investigations into 16 incidents of shoplifting, 22 false alarms and 19 bylaw noise complaints.
“Often there is a warning in the first instance, however for repeat noise complaints police officers are encouraged to issue bylaw noise tickets,” Mallard said, explaining why many of the noise complaints generated fines.
Police were also kept busy investigating 120 complaints of drunks in public places, 38 complaints of breach of the peace, 24 reports of cause disturbance and 27 bail violations.
Mounties also noted a high number of abandoned 911 calls and have asked people with cellphones to be aware of the unlock, call emergency buttons on the screen because the emergency call button is often depressed unbeknownst to the owner.
It goes to 911 as a 911 hangup or nobody on the line and police must pursue those calls with a high priority.
Mallard also told council traffic is another high priority for her and her officers.
“Members are dedicated to traffic related infractions and during this quarter, were successful in taking 13 impaired drivers off the road immediately,” she said.