The Central Plains RCMP Detachment continues to look at ways to reduce crime in the area. That was the message from RCMP representatives at yesterday's RM of Portage la Prairie Council meeting, which saw discussions surrounding the latest crime statistics, and new programs. Property crimes, attempted vehicle thefts, and break and enters are always a challenge during the summer, and this year saw 37 of those instances take place between April and June. While that's up from just 17 in the first three months of the year, Staff Sergeant Rob Vachon says the number of incidents is actually lower than during that same period last year.

"For the same period last year, we're actually down. We're doing well in that area. Of course, we have the guys out at night, we have the bike patrol up and running, so we're doing more enforcement. We have the Citizens On Patrol as well."

Concerns over property crimes last year led to the creation of a Citizens on Patrol Program in the town of Oakville, and Vachon says they're seeing positive results from that effort. While the overall number of break and enters, property crimes, and attempted vehicle thefts is down from last year, local police continue to face challenges with the youth involved in criminal activity. Inspector Rick Head says youth offenders have been a challenge for the ongoing break and enters, some of which are believed to be gang-related. He notes one of the challenges is an ongoing cycle of arrests and offenses.

"Until there's a conviction registered with some of the young people, even if there's a second or third event where they've been picked up, if they haven't faced the court system yet and been registered as a conviction they can't be held on charges unless it's something major like a violent event or something of that nature. For break and enters and things like that they're not going to be held under the (Youth Criminal Justice Act) until some convictions are registered."

Head says they often aim to work with the offenders families, to help curb the youth away from a life of crime, adding one upcoming program may be able to help improve the situation. During the meeting with the RM Council, Head explained they're starting the process of implementing a community mobilization project. He notes it's a proactive approach, that aims to address those at risk of becoming involved in criminal activity. He says the program would see different community agencies coming together, to help identify those who may be in need of assistance.

"Different representatives of those groups will come to the meetings and bring names forward. Then they'll choose within that group, which  organization that should intervene with the folks that are struggling, whether it's a youth or a family at risk. It could be the police, it could be social services or the health agency. It's a different approach to intervening before people get caught up in a life of crime."

He explains the community mobilization wouldn't be guided by the Criminal Code, but would instead aim to provide guidance to those most at risk. Head notes the program is still in the works, but should be implemented in the area in the near future.