The RCMP report an increase in impaired driving charges compared to this time last year. They believe it is because they have been on the road a bit more, and have had assistance from traffic services in Nelson.
Constable Lee Bellamy said break and enters have dropped by over 50 per cent. He attributed this to the work of Corporal Jason Burndred during his time in Nakusp. Burndred put a lot of time into reducing crime in the village. For example, drug investigations went from four down to one.
Criminal Code investigations went from 70 to 45.
The RCMP’s biggest challenge is under-reporting of crime. Bellamy said he would like to see residents be more aware of Crime Stoppers, which allows tips to be anonymous.
Update from WildSafe BC
Bree Lillies the WildSafe BC coordinator for Area K of the Regional District of Central Kootenay, has been very busy this year. Her activities have included a bear spray training session in June for a local hiking group, educational displays at local farmer’s markets, and door to door canvassing based on calls made to the Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) line.
A general information session at the Nakusp Public Library in September was well received, particularly as there have been many bear spottings in the area over the last couple of months.
Lillies has also been working with municipalities on initiatives to help reduce conflict long-term. Some examples include bear resistant garbage bins in New Denver, and a potential wildlife attractant bylaw specific to fruit trees.
Stops of Interest
The government of British Columbia is going to add 75 new stops of interest to their inventory and is providing Nakusp with an opportunity to highlight people, places and events in the community. Village council has shown an interest in receiving some of these signs.
Freedom of Information bylaw to be replaced
The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act came into effect 1994. Since then, all municipalities have adopted a Freedom of Information bylaw. Nakusp’s bylaw was adopted in 1994, but has not been updated since. A number of the sections of the bylaw need to be corrected and updated to the standards of the new act. The most effective way to make these corrections is to repeal the old bylaw and replace it with a new and updated version.