Mayor’s Report for the Month of May 2014 (West Shore RCMP)

Mayor’s Report for the Month of May 2014

This report is intended as a quick update, with a more detailed report to be provided quarterly. The West Shore RCMP Detachment received 1620 calls for service in May. During this same period in 2013 there were 1616 total calls for service in May. Distribution of these calls is itemized for your reference below:

Calls for Service Statistics May 2013/2014

I would like to impart some information regarding a couple of events that were held at the detachment this past month:

On May 10, 2014 the West Shore RCMP Detachment held its 3rd Open House from 10 am to 3 pm. This event is a great way to engage people of all ages and help them gain an understanding of the day to day operations of the Detachment and to learn more about the Community Partners we work with on a regular basis. Despite the cooler weather, approximately 600 people attended this event and interacted with our staff, volunteers and officers. The opportunity for our officers and volunteers to interact with the public in such a positive environment is very welcome and the educational aspects and information shared is well received by our community members. Again, this year we have received many positive comments about the event.

The following RCMP specialized units were involved by either presenting a display or providing a demonstration; West Shore Police Dog Services, West Shore Traffic Section, the Emergency Response Team, the Explosive Disposal Unit, the Tactical Unit, Coastal Watch, the Operation Communication Centre, Dare – DOCAS, the Forensic Identification Section. West Shore RCMP Programs such as; Keep in Touch, Speed Watch, Block Watch, CPAC and a kids area. Also in attendance were; CRD Parks and CRD Bylaws, the Military Police and their Recruiting Section, Colwood and Langford Bylaws, View Royal, Colwood and Langford Fire Departments, Greater Victoria Police Victim Services, Child Find, ICBC.

The Tour de Rock team also attended to support the event and a BBQ in support of S/Sgt. Steve Wright the rider from West Shore RCMP was held at the Open House, raising over $1200 in support of Tour de Rock.

The KEEP IN TOUCH program was created to establish daily contact with members of our community who live alone or have medical issues. Each day, a volunteer phones our clients at a scheduled time to check on their wellbeing and provide camaraderie. Many of our clients have little to no outside contact. Clients are responsible to answer their phones at their prescribed times, if they are going to be out they are asked to leave a message on the office phone. If a volunteer is unable to reach the client after a number of attempts and after reaching out to the emergency contact, police attend to ensure that the client is not in medical distress. This program is volunteer driven and is very much appreciated by the clients it serves. There are currently 38 KIT clients and 18 volunteers attached to this program.

On Sunday May 25, 2014 the West Shore RCMP Keep In Touch Program Tea was held at the West Shore RCMP Detachment. The Keep In Touch Program Volunteers prepare the event, setting the tables with fine china and preparing the feast for their guests. West Shore RCMP Officers in Red Serge attend and serve tea and interact with the volunteers, clients and their guests. Thirty KIT clients and their guests attended this years event. This tea is a highlight for many of the clients each year, as one client commented in a thank you card just received, “a great big THANK YOU to the KIT Volunteers and the RCMP Staff for a wonderful Spring Tea…the goodies were delicious and the service exceptional, I thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon. Many, many thanks to all the girls and guys who telephone daily to check in on us…I really appreciate you all.”

Some files of note for the month of May:

• Langford: Darcy’s Pub called police requesting assistance with unwanted males in the bar. Individuals removed without incident.
• Langford: A female employee was assaulted by a male who forcibly grabbed her arm, side and buttocks while she was working at Costco.
• Langford: While shopping at Walmart a female left her purse in the front of the cart. She stopped to look at some books and when she turned back to the cart her purse was gone.
• Colwood: A report of an object thrown at complainant’s vehicle from another vehicle; object cracked the windshield, blue bits of balloon located near the wipers.
• View Royal: A report of a water balloon thrown at complainant’s vehicle, unknown where the balloon was thrown from.

One of the larger files for the month of May is as follows:

West Shore RCMP were assisting Victoria Police with respect to an uttering threats complaint. Victoria Police and RCMP members attended a unit on Belmont Road in Colwood to recover firearms registered to the suspect. While performing a consent search for weapons, RCMP member discovered what appeared to be a pipe bomb. The suspect was arrested and returned to the West Shore Detachment. The pipe bomb was not touched and photos were taken. Colwood Fire Department attended on scene for precautionary purposes while members cleared the scene to consult with EDU. Seven firearms were seized by police and two floors of the building (7 occupants) were evacuated until the pipe bomb could be removed by the Explosive Device Unit to be destroyed in a nearby gravel pit.

Personnel:

West Shore RCMP has completed the Sergeant promotion selection process. Cpl. Raj SANDHU was selected for one of the Sergeant Watch Commander Positions. Cpl. SANDHU is currently a West Shore RCMP Member and has been at the detachment for the past two years. He is currently in the Acting/Sergeant position.

Cpl. Todd PRESTON was successful in the other Sergeant position. Cpl. PRESTON is currently with the Kimberly/Cranbrook Detachment and will be physically transferring to the West Shore Detachment.

There was a large pool of very qualified and competent RCMP members competing for this position, which reflects well on the community and the Detachment.

We are again entering the “spring transfer season”, seeing a number of our constables moving on with a variety of career aspirations. Members have been identified for their replacement and are in the transfer process to West Shore. The Detachment remains a desirable posting and highly qualified members are seeking transfer to West Shore.

For your information, please find below the guard room statistics for the month of May

Guard Room Stats May 2014

MONTH

YEAR TO DATE