Concerned about crime

Photo: Google Maps

Enderby RCMP detachment.

Crime in Enderby has increased, says a concerned citizen who feels police have failed to adequately control it.

RCMP statistics show the number of RCMP files in the first quarter of 2015 has increased five per cent compared to 2014. But, the resident, who wished to remain anonymous so as not to be seen as a “squealer,” said there are not enough police to manage it.

“The amount of drunk driving and crime that I’ve seen here, outright drug dealing out in broad daylight right in parking lots in this town, is absolutely ridiculous,” the source said over the phone. “I’ve never seen such blatant disrespect for the law in my entire life.”

He shared the story of an encounter with a suspected drunk driver, who “almost drove my family and I off the road” on the way to Enderby from Vernon. He called police and followed the driver, who eventually pulled in to the Enderby liquor store, and came out with beer and hard liquor. After three separate phone calls to 911, and about 20 minutes' notice, no police ever came, the resident said.

“The criminals are walking around in plain sight as they have no fear,” he claimed.

The Enderby RCMP detachment has five officers, but has been amalgamated with Armstrong and Falkland since 2004. They are also able to draw resources from the Vernon RCMP, according to Sgt. Neil Hogg. This amalgamation results in about 20 officers who cover Spallumcheen, Armstrong, Enderby, Grindrod and Falkland.

“I cant blame the police because I know there’s just not enough of them for the amount of area they cover,” the resident said. “That is ridiculous geography.”

Hogg disagrees, saying the area is adequately covered.

“I’ve witnessed one (phone call to the police) that took 45 minutes (to respond) to,” the resident said. “I witnessed one the other night, the woman only got a phone call at 11 that night, and the crime happened at 9 or 9:30, and nobody showed up. You’re telling me they couldn’t have sent a police officer in that amount of time?”

Hogg says response times vary on a case-by-case basis.

“There are times when we have to prioritize our call response, as they do in any area,” he said.

But the resident said crime has reached a dangerous level in the town.

“I’ve never seen so many people drink and drive in one town in my entire life,” he said. “You just think about how many kids that person drove by.”