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LETTER: A few raves caught Agassiz RCMP detachment off guard

Local police officers have been volunteering to assist with the current provincial state of emergency
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Sgt. Darren Rennie, of the Agassiz RCMP Detachment, brings readers up to date on what has gone on locally over the summer months.

Dear Reader,

I wanted to provide you with an update into the activities and hot topic issues involving your police. This summer has presented some incredible challenges and successes. Our officers have been extremely busy responding to calls for service. These calls range from minor by-law issues to property crime to serious crimes against persons. Every summer we experience a significant increase in the call volume and this summer has been no exception.

In preparation for the summer the Agassiz CPO supplies one member and one police car to the UFVRD Seasonal Policing Team. In return the Seasonal Policing Unit assist the Agassiz GD members with patrolling provincially funded areas like Harrison Lake and all of the campgrounds. This year the Seasonal Team has assisted the Agassiz members with the May Long Weekend, which can be the busiest weekend for call volume, Canada Day and the August Long Weekend. The Seasonal members have conducted boat patrols and UTV patrols up the forest service roads and charged campers for having illegal camp fires. They have also assisted in the two Harrison East forest fires. Having the seasonal team keeps the general duty members available to respond to calls.

This summer has seen a larger than normal number of large loud music festivals (aka: raves). A few of the raves caught the police off guard as neither the landowners nor the organizers notified the police of the event in advanced. These raves created a disturbance that kept residents from enjoying the lawful use of their properties. In one case the police attended the rave on multiple occasions and requested the music be turned down. The requests were ignored and as a result the police initiated a Mischief investigation looking at whether the disturbance met the elements of a criminal charge. In this regard I have a request for the residents of Agassiz, Popkum and Bridal Falls. If the Electric Love Music Festival had a negative impact on you please take some time to write me a letter detailing how the rave affected you. I will need you to identify yourself in the letter and ensure to add your address and phone number. You can drop your letter off at the Agassiz CPO. I will compile the letters in an effort to determine if there is sufficient evidence to recommend charges against the event organizers.

Recently the Crime Severity Index was released which showed the District of Kent had slight increases in both violent and non-violent crime, however, both categories were low in comparison to the rest of the province. The District of Kent had higher than the average clearance rates.

Agassiz rural, which includes all other areas outside the District of Kent, saw a high crime severity index. In reviewing the formula we were able to make the following conclusions surrounding these findings. The village of Harrison Hot Springs is a major contributor to the index due to the small number of permanent residents and the disproportionate amount of crime generated in the summer months due to the increase in the tourist population. Other reasons for the high CSI in Agassiz rural was the homicide investigation which originated in Popkum, a series of robberies in Popkum, and a large number of serious car accidents in the rural areas. Of interest was a fatal MVI which occurred on the West Harrison FSR which resulted in Criminal Negligence Causing Death charge after a driver drove his vehicle off of the West Harrison FSR killing his passenger. Investigators were able to recover evidence which supported the charge. The matter remains before the courts.

We have a very close working relationship with Kent-Harrison Search and Rescue and we have utilized them on numerous occasions this year. SAR has assisted the police in accidents on the water, searching the mountains for lost hikers and assisting paragliders out of trees. I would like to use this letter to say thank you to all of the SAR volunteers.

Each quarter I have been releasing crime stats and maps. I will continue to release these as I want to ensure our residents are aware of the crime occurring in their communities so they can take steps to protect themselves and their property. In this last quarter for example we saw a huge increase in theft from motor vehicles. I cannot stress enough to remove valuables from your vehicles. We have thieves checking vehicles all day long looking to steal any valuables and any personal documents. It is important to call in any suspicious activity day or night.

Overall property crime is down three percent from this time last year, however, reported frauds are significantly on the rise. Please remember Revenue Canada will never call and threaten to arrest or deport you if you do not pay them. In some cases the fraudsters had the victims purchase prepaid gift cards. The CRA will never ask you to do this. If you receive a call from someone claiming you won money or you owe money do yourself a favour and just hang up.

Your police officers have been volunteering to assist with the current provincial state of emergency. We have had an officer deployed to the fires since mid-July. The officers deploy for seven days at a time and have been involved with evacuations and the protection of property.

We are now preparing for the Agassiz Fall Fair on Sept. 15 and 16 and are looking forward to the fall/winter slow down. During these slower times you can expect to see your officers targeting school zones and high traffic areas on Highway #9 and the Lougheed Highway.

Yours truly,

Darren Rennie, Sergeant, Agassiz RCMP Detachment