Trail’s police chief says an increase in drug investigations during the second quarter of this year likely reflects the recriminalization of certain drugs in BC.
According to second-quarter RCMP statistics presented to Trail city council this week, there were 17 drug investigations in Greater Trail between April and June, compared to three during the same time last year.
That contributed to an overall increase in call volumes, which rose from 1,364 to 1,457 year-over-year.
“The fact of the matter is open drug use in public is against the law,” Staff Sgt. Dave Johnson said. “Now, what my members are going to do and what our response is, is going to be case specific. The shift to recrimanilizing is also working with the people we’re serving, that we’re addressing. They need to know these things have changed.”
A three-year drug decriminalization pilot project in BC ended in January. The BC Conservatives and some mayors said decriminalization led to increased public drug use and disorder, but harm reduction advocates said the pilot didn’t address the root causes of the toxic drug crisis.
Last year, Trail council asked that downtown foot patrols be made a priority, at the urging of councillor Nick Cashol. At the time, former detachment commander Sgt. Mike Wicentowich said Trail had a “very mild issue” with open drug use compared to other places.
Johnson told Cashol that while there has been a renewed focus on foot patrols, the problem is a “common challenge” for all communities.
He said the shift back to enforcement has taken some adjustment, as new officers have never had to deal with a world where possessing small amounts of certain drugs is illegal.
Asked by Cashol what advice he would give people who witness open drug use, Johnson replied: “I would suggest they call police.”
Johnson also noted sexual offences increased year-over-year, from three to 11, which he said is likely because of a rise in third-party reporting. Anyone who doesn’t want to go to police directly can file a report with victim services.
Johnson, who took over as head of the detachment in February, isn’t bothered by the overall increase in call volumes. While it could be a draw on resources, he said it may also reflect more proactive policing and indicate people are comfortable with calling police.
As far as detachment staffing, he said two new recruits have been assigned to Trail and one officer is being transferred from northern BC. Cpl. James Splinter retired this month and is expected to be replaced by another corporal from Nelson who will transfer in mid-to-late August. The detachment also has some officers away on maternity, paternity, and long-term leaves, as well as one hard vacancy.
