Âé¶čAV RCMP has identified three specific priorities in updating its strategic plan for the next three years.
Superintendent Kara Triance presented the plan to council at its regular meeting on Nov. 20.
One of the priorities addresses a concern from the cityâs 2022 Safety Survey which found 92 per cent of residents want more police visibility in communities.
âWe serve all Âé¶čAV businesses and residents,â Triance said. âYouâll see in this three-year plan that it doesnât commit to specific neighbourhoodsâŠat the risk of excluding othersâŠwe will be responsive.â
She said the businesses and tourism sectors would also like to see more police presence.
Triance added RCMP will keep up and expand efforts in targeting recurring property theft, pointing out that residents consider property crime the most important crime that needs to be dealt with in Âé¶čAV.
âYou will be seeing us hone in and reinforce our implementation to target persons, places, and behaviours that are driving repeat criminality,â she said.
Promoting the right providers for mental health, addiction care and supportive housing needs is also a concern for RCMP.
âWeâve committed to co-designing a protocol with Interior Health connected to engaging people in crisis to community-based responders,â Triance added.
The superintendent said there is also a focus on recruitment for the detachment.
An issue that was the topic of discussion at a recent meeting of the BC Association of Chiefs of Police.
âItâs not just in law enforcement that we are seeing this,â Triance noted. âHealthcare professionals, teachers, education, everyone across the board is facing these similar challenges.â
In order to deliver prevention and response in Âé¶čAV RCMP will need to be creative as possible to make sure the work is being front-loaded and resources are being optimized, Triance added.
Mayor Tom Dyas asked about officers attending calls for service dealing with mental health issues.
âI absolutely want to see our officers co-responding with health (care professionals) where violence towards the individuals themselves, towards the public, or towards the professionals is a concern.â
However, Triance said if the RCMP is the sole provider for those calls for service she would argue that is not the best policing model.
Council voted unanimously to approve the .
READ MORE: Police presence near Harvey Avenue during Âé¶čAV rush hour
