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Clearwater RCMP case load increasing

Detachment members investigated 338 files during the first quarter of 2014

The case load at Clearwater RCMP detachment continues to rise but there soon will be a familiar face there to help with the work.

Detachment members investigated 338 files during the first quarter of 2014, Sgt. Kevin Podbisky reported to Clearwater town council on Tuesday, June 3.

This compares to 324 files during the first quarter of 2013.

Traffic members investigated 65 files during this period.

The detachment received 403 calls for service from January to March of this year.

Cst. Landen Tonn has been transferred to the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team in Surrey and worked his last shift here on May 27.

A member of the Surrey detachment, Cst. Geoff Schynder, has been identified as his replacement.

A former member of the Clearwater detachment, Cpl. Mark Labossiere, will be returning here to take the newly created corporal position.

“He's coming back to Clearwater and he knows what this place is all about,” Podbisky said.

Labossiere is transferring from the Sunshine Coast (Gibsons).

The arrival dates of the two replacements have not yet been determined.

Clearwater detachment and Traffic Services units issued a total of 560 traffic tickets and warnings during the first quarter.

A total of 17 drug seizures were made, resulting in seven criminal charges.

Clearwater detachment also investigated and laid six criminal charges during the three-month period.

Although outside of the reporting period, a bike rodeo held May 30 at Raft River Elementary with the assistance of Victims Services was a great success, the sergeant said.

Holding the rodeo during school hours resulted in several hundred students taking part.

More domestic violence being reported

Councillor Shelley Sim asked if there has been an increase in domestic violence.

Sgt. Podbisky replied that there has been an increase in reported incidents since a recent death in the community. However, he thought this likely was a result of more people reporting incidents rather than an actual increase.

“After the Angila Wilson thing, people think it could happen the me,” he said.

There is only so much the police can do, once they are called in, the sergeant pointed out.

 

“In my opinion, education is the key,” he said, “and it should not be just be for adults; it should start in grades six or seven.”