Kingston RCMP fully staffed to fight crime

BY NANCY KELLY

Kings County Register

Representatives from the Kings County RCMP and its Kingston detachment were on hand at Kingston’s May 2 annual general meeting to answer questions and address concerns about local policing issues.

Inspector Dave Brown and Corporal Ken Boone kicked off their presentation by indicating the Kingston detachment is currently fully staffed with 10 investigating officers and a full-time school liaison officer.

In the past year, a steady increase in illegal drug trade activity has continued to be of particular concern, said Boone. He was shocked by the volume of illegal substances seized in a recent raid in Aylesford.

“Years ago, seizing eight pounds of cocaine would have been unheard of here,” said Boone. Curtailing the increase in trafficking should be a concern for all Valley residents because it “puts the community and increasingly, our officers, at risk.

“The criminal element involved in this type of activity will kill rural Nova Scotia unless something is done.”

Boone anticipates Valley residents will benefit from the recent formation of a Kings County “street team” dedicated to investigating and combatting local drug trafficking.

Boone also reported calls for service data at the meeting. Between May 1, 2006 and April 30 of this year, the Kingston detachment received 1,436 calls for the Kingston zone, of which 1,000 were dedicated to Kingston only.

“Frivolous 911 calls and false alarms,” continue to plague the detachment noted Boone, adding such calls can waste between four and five hours of manpower, depending on the location.

Traffic patrol and thefts continue to be a priority. Boone reported the police service is also working with the regional school board to create a data base of schools to be used in the event of school-based emergencies. Kings County RCMP members have been trained specifically to respond to these types of issues.

“Columbine and, most recently, the Virginia Tech shootings have changed everything. We have had to rethink what to do and how to react in response to these situations,” said Boone.