This is not in reaction to a well thought out letter from Rick – just below this. I have been hesitating but desiring to respond to the comments section based on the statements made by Superintendent Ted De Jager of Penticton.
The new Supintendent is a bit different than the last two regional commanders and we should never expect all RCMP leaders to be the same.
I actually understand what he is saying and I believe it to be policy province wide. Now wait a bit here.
It is better to track criminals based on solid information, intelligence and mapping than it is to use up valuable time writing a report on what was stolen from an unlocked vehicle parked on the street. Get a file number, contact your insurance company and I hope they ask – “was the vehicle locked?”
If you house is broken into – I think that is a different matter and believe De Jagers comments were not hitched to any forced entry or incidents of violence. Once crime is reported and mapped police officers are in a better position to patrol high crime rate areas and to target known offenders  ….  but they cannot if they are doing bookwork at the office.
Give this policy a chance and we might see a dramatic drop in crime. Here are the problem areas:
Yes I am aware of crime where equipment is stolen and found by the owner and NOT the police. Frustrating for sure.
Police do their job, the crown does it’s job and upon conviction the courts appear to slap criminals on the wrist and give them special treatment. BUT incarceration comes at a cost and maybe we really don’t want to go down that route of more prisons, longer terms, nastier criminals when they get out.
I certainly do not have all the answers – I just have another point of view
Jack Bennest