RCMP talks crime at town hall

About 30 people gathered on Wednesday evening at the Multi-Purpose Room at the St. Paul Rec. Centre, with issues and points of frustration brought up, as St. Paul RCMP discussed crime in the community.

The night began with Staff Sgt. Lee Brachmann presenting trends from the past five years, and other facts about policing in the Town of St. Paul.

Before opening up the floor to questions and suggestions, Brachmann addressed the increase in break and enters by offering some property crime prevention tips.

“These are fairly simple things,” he said. First, he encouraged people to “know your neighbours . . . (and) look out for your neighbours.”

He also recommended people participate in groups such as Citizens on Patrol or Rural Crime Watch, a topic that came up later in the meeting. He added that one of his favourite tips was for people to keep a photographic or video record of all the valuables in each room, in case of a break and enter, as well as suggesting that people can install surveillance cameras on their properties.

He noted that some people have basic trail cameras, which are typically used for hunting or by more rural residents.

“We’ve actually had some good luck with that,” said Brachmann, noting the video surveillance can help identify suspects or suspect vehicles in break-ins.

“When you’re away, ensure your home appears to be occupied,” said Brachmann. He noted that people should have someone check their house, and even do some basic yard work, like shovel snow or mow the lawn.

He also encouraged people to keep their holiday plans off social media, so that people don’t know their home is unoccupied.

Avoiding landscaping in yards that could help conceal people, like big rocks or trees was also noted. And Brachmann recommended the installation of motion-censored lights. Keeping items properly stored that could help someone break-in to your home is also important, such as tools or ladders, while he stressed locking houses and vehicles.

RCMP also have been getting positive feedback about proactive patrols, but Sgt. James Morton noted that doing proactive work, such as the foot patrols, does pull resources from other areas.

Both Brachmann and Morton affirmed through the meeting that continually charging people for crimes isn’t going to change the behavior.

Rather, they both noted, dealing with repeat offenders involves a much longer process, working with community partners who can deal with the underlying causes associated with crime, such as addictions.

RCMP also opened the floor to those attending to deal with their concerns, with one of those concerns focusing on a specific area of town, nearby a liquor store and pharmacy. RCMP said it was an area well known to RCMP.

While frustrations were noted, Morton pointed out that much of the issues seen relate to addictions, and “there’s nobody in this room that has a magic wand that can solve addictions.”

Again, RCMP noted that charging people repeatedly isn’t going to solve the problem.

Bogdan said she felt one issue was that it’s much harder for people with addictions issues to access services. It used to be easier for people to walk into an addictions office and get help the same day. Now, people are waiting months, she said.

“It’s a very complex topic, a complex issue,” said Brachmann, adding, addictions isn’t going to be fixed overnight, and work needs to be done long-term.

Other items brought up by residents included response time by RCMP when a call comes in. Brachmann explained response times are based on other issues that may be happening at the same time, and which matters are more of a priority. He encouraged people to keep calling in issues, even if RCMP officers are busy, because it creates a file and gives RCMP information to work with.

The same resident also brought up the issue of people going through garbage bags set out by residents in her neighbourhood, and making a huge mess in the back alley. Brachmann and Morton admitted they hadn’t heard of this issue, while one of the town’s bylaw officers who was in attendance at the meeting said he had heard of the issue.

Another resident also brought up fentanyl, and asked if the drug has been seen locally. RCMP noted that so far, they haven’t seen it surface in the area. Morton said he didn’t know of any fentanyl related deaths, and no drug seizures had resulted in fentanyl being found.

At this point, Mayor Glenn Andersen once again brought up the notion of Citizens on Patrol (COP). While a COP group still exists in St. Paul, Brachmann said he wasn’t too sure how active the group was.

The group has no policing powers, but is made up of volunteers from the community who report issues as they see them. Brachmann said he’s been in many communities with active COP groups, and they can work very well.

“We are a community,” said Morton, adding, “We just need to be better members of the community.”

Andersen recommended posting information about COP on the town’s website, and relaying information to people through social media.

Near the end of the meeting, a couple of town residents expressed frustrations over their homes being targeted a number of times and being the victims of break-and-enters. While RCMP agreed it’s natural to feel frustrated, they also strongly encouraged residents not to take matters into their own hands, saying they didn’t want innocent people to put themselves into dangerous situations.

RCMP also offered to speak to residents privately after the meeting, in hopes of finding solutions to the issues.

“I hope this was a positive experience . . . I hope there was some value to it,” said Brachmann, as the evening wrapped up. He also noted that the information gathered at the meeting will be used in the RCMP’s strategic planning for St. Paul.