| Nanaimo RCMP
Thursday, March 1, 2007
Nanaimo RCMP R. Cantelon: I rise today to give an account of the RCMP appreciation dinner held recently in Nanaimo. It was held as a fundraiser for the Nanaimo crisis centre. It wasn't the scarlet tunics that sold out the house for this inaugural event, although it was a real gala event. It was because this event gave the community an opportunity to show their personal appreciation and gratitude to the members, one of each of whom sat at the tables. Of course we respect and admire their ultimate commitment to put their lives on the line 24-7 to protect the safety of the citizens of the community. But it is about much more than that. It is about how each member takes it upon themselves to make it personal in making the place they live in a better place for all of us to live in. Today it's about working with community leaders, neighbourhoods, business leaders and youth in rebuilding the cores of our cities on a safer, crime-free foundation. In Nanaimo Supt. Jeff Lott has set up a task force that works closely with the neighbourhood community groups, the Downtown Nanaimo Partnership, city bylaw enforcement officers and the fire department in a coordinated strategy to combat drug abuse. They are the front line in a compliance strategy using the nuisance house bylaw, the Safe Streets Act and the Trespass Act to push away drug squats and close crack houses. And it is working. Neighbourhoods are taking back the streets. A special thanks for the event goes to the New Car Dealers Association for organizing the gala. They have special reason to be grateful, since car thefts have been reduced in Nanaimo by 70 percent. I ask the House to please join me in adding our appreciation and congratulations to this fine police force, the RCMP. | |
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