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North end crime rate dropping significantly

Masset RCMP logged 363 calls for service in the three- month period between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31, 2012, Sgt. Blake Ward told Port Clements council members Monday night, almost exactly the same number as it received during the same period in 2011.But behind the statistics there's another story, he said, with the crime rate at the north end of Haida Gwaii dropping significantly. That's because the 363 calls for service include more than 100 curfew and probation checks conducted by RCMP members as part of a new effort to make the communities safer.Sgt. Ward explained that police have started checking up on people who have been charged with an offense and released with conditions such as not drinking alcohol or being home after a certain time."We conducted 107 checks and there were no breaches," he said. "I was really happy to see we didn't have any charges as a result of the 107 checks - that's fabulous."Sgt. Ward said it seems there is a lot less impaired driving going on. Police conducted many road checks over the holiday season and didn't come across any drivers who had been drinking."Overall... we are seeing a decrease in the actual crime rate," he said.Sgt. Ward also said that the detachment was fully staffed during the fall quarter, for the first time since he arrived here a year ago. There are nine regular RCMP members, two public service employees and one casual employee, along with eight guards. The detachment's area covers all of Graham Island north of the Tlell River bridge.Council members told Sgt. Ward they are concerned about young people in Port as well as cyclists who ride their bikes at night without reflectors."One issue is youth crime," said mayor Wally Cheer. "In our community I think it's the largest issue. I don't know how to best approach it but I think we need to find more activities for the youth."Councillor Kazamir Falconbridge said he thinks many high school students have used or are using marijuana, and it would be good to see a teen centre established in Port."We're the only community that doesn't have one," he said.Sgt. Ward thanked the council members for their ideas and invited them to drop into his office any time to discuss policing concerns.