A group of Sicamous residents are again calling for 24/7 policing, with council echoing that sentiment. 

A letter and 93-signature petition, presented by Anita Lacquement at the April 9 Committee of the Whole meeting, expressed 香蕉视频直播渇rustration with the increasing number of attempted break-ins and thefts that are occurring during the night.香蕉视频直播� 

香蕉视频直播淚t is evident that these criminals are aware that Sicamous has no presence patrolling our town and streets between the hours of 1 a.m. to 7 a.m.,香蕉视频直播� Lacquement said. 香蕉视频直播淚t is also evident that the scoundrels committing these crimes, are not shied away by surveillance monitors and alarms that many homes in our community have been equipped with.香蕉视频直播�

She went on to say the detachment currently has five patrol units and suggested, as a budget friendly solution, having one of those do a night shift or create a swing shift schedule. 

When asked for comment, however, Sgt. Murray McNeil 香蕉视频直播� who was not at the meeting 香蕉视频直播� told the Observer the letter contained some misinformation.

香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 not accurate information. We haven香蕉视频直播檛 seen an increase in thefts or break-ins... our hours are 7 to 2 a.m., not 1 a.m., and then there香蕉视频直播檚 an on-call situation,香蕉视频直播� he said, pointing out that an officer is always on duty.

McNeil added that he will compile some statistics to present to council during his quarterly report on May 14.

香蕉视频直播淧lease know that we do support and appreciate the RCMP,香蕉视频直播� Lacquement said in closing. 香蕉视频直播淲e are looking to our mayor and council to provide the RCMP with more support and coverage so that Sicamous can have a 24/7 police presence.香蕉视频直播�

Despite having discussed the issue with McNeil in the past, and without his input at the meeting, council supported the request but admitted it香蕉视频直播檚 a process. Coun. Malcolm Makayev said he agreed 香蕉视频直播渁 hundred per cent with what you香蕉视频直播檙e saying,香蕉视频直播� but added they have spoken with McNeil about it in the past.

 香蕉视频直播淗e says it香蕉视频直播檚 a matter of resources,香蕉视频直播� Makayev said. 香蕉视频直播淏ut I think if more of the public comes forward... that it香蕉视频直播檒l help our case for them to allocate more resources so they can have... something for presence in the evening.香蕉视频直播�

Coun. Gord Bushell added that council is frustrated too, and have pursued the matter at the provincial level but haven香蕉视频直播檛 yet made any progress.

香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檝e been down this road with the ministry before, we advocate at UBCM [Union of B.C. Municipalities] every time... but unfortunately sometimes it falls on deaf ears,香蕉视频直播� he said. 香蕉视频直播淎nd your letter with more signatures will help for sure.香蕉视频直播�

As an update to that, however, Mayor Colleen Anderson said council met with the Solicitor General at last fall香蕉视频直播檚 UBCM and she finally heard back from them last week.

香蕉视频直播淚 have staff trying to set up a meeting right now with the B.C. RCMP service delivery unit, so they have heard us, they香蕉视频直播檙e willing to sit down and chat with us, so that is great,香蕉视频直播� she said. 香蕉视频直播淭he district will of course have a conversation with Sgt. McNeil and make sure that he is aware of our concerns again.香蕉视频直播�