If you live in the north end of the islands, you have a one in five chance of being the victim of a criminal code offence in any given year.
Those bleak odds were outlined by RCMP Sgt. Rick Shaw to Masset council members Monday night (Feb. 10) during a briefing that covered crime statistics, policing strategies, and cuts to the victim assistance program.
Violence in relationships has increased dramatically in the detachment area, which covers Masset, Old Massett and Port Clements, Sgt. Shaw said. Other concerns include:
• assaults in general, which jumped to 112 in 2001 from 78 in 1998.
• youth violence and youth crime, which are increasing.
• the number of cases per officer, which stood at 125 in 2000, compared to a provincial average of 87.
• the crime rate (number of criminal code offences per 1,000 people), which reached 216 in 2000, compared to a provincial average of 84. The Masset detachment's crime rate was the ninth highest in the province that year.
"This is a violent community and it's a tough posting for RCMP officers," Sgt. Shaw said. "The bottom line is, in Masset we need more police officers."
Alcohol and drug abuse are probably the root causes of much of the crime, he added.
Sgt. Shaw said is he particularly concerned about cuts to the victim assistance program, as well as the provincial government's plan to make small communities like Masset and Port Clements pay directly for a portion of local police services.
Once communities start paying, they may expect more from the RCMP, but Sgt. Shaw said his staff just can't work any harder.
The Masset detachment has six members, and they are getting burned out, he said. To them, the phrase "VOT" is not part of the local postal code - it stands for "voluntary overtime", and they're putting in 10 hours of it every two weeks.
In response to a question from councillor Ed Woode, Sgt. Shaw said crime statistics from the Queen Charlotte detachment, which covers a similar population with the same size police force, are somewhat lower. However, he didn't have exact numbers.
Mayor Barry Pages asked if there is anything the council can do about the situation.
"I guess what I'm asking for is patience," Sgt. Shaw replied. "Like if somebody's window is broken, the police may not be able to respond right away" because they are dealing with more serious crimes.
Sgt. Shaw also asked for feedback - both negative and positive - from council members, telling them that although he's busy, he will make time to see them and hear any concerns.
He is also considering holding a public meeting to discuss the crime statistics.
This summer won't be any easier for the detachment, as it is losing every officer except Sgt. Shaw, who opted to stay on for an extra year to oversee the new officers who will be coming in.
"Masset has been changed from a three-year posting to a two-year posting for exactly the reasons we're discussing," he said. "This is a huge transition and it's going to be a difficult summer."
Although the community has a tough reputation among RCMP officers, it's not known as one of the worst places to be posted, Sgt. Shaw added.
"Most of the isolated places don't have golf courses, swimming pools, rec centres, the great fishing," he said. "Masset is a wonderful place. But it is isolated, and you pay a price for isolation."