Although he didn't have the statistics readily available, Estevan Police Service Chief Del Block knows the rate of violent incidents within Estevan is on the increase.
In an interview conducted late last week, Block cited examples of assaults and other incidents that have led to charges and further police action to try to counter the effects of these violent crimes. The police are hampered at times by the fact that too often victims and others who might have knowledge of what is "going down," are reluctant to report anything to police or other agencies because they feel threatened.
"So a lot of these crimes are still going unreported," said Block, referring to recent examples of situations that have ended up in the courtroom, but were made difficult to investigate due to the intimidation factors. These incidents, involved cocaine deals that went bad.
Block attributes the increase in violent crimes and assaults to community growth. There are many positive things that happen when a city like Estevan blossoms into a major hub of economic activity, but there are accompanying problems too because we don't always get to choose the people who come to the Energy City.
"Of course a certain amount of these assaults and violent incidents are a direct result of the drug trade," said Block.
To date, EPS has been able to follow up all leads when victims or those in the drug trade decide to co-operate. They take statements and when necessary, provide protection and confidentiality to those who co-operate.
"But when you're in that lifestyle, it's tough to report and it could be anything. It's not necessarily just drug deals gone bad or drug debts owing. But it could be something related to them," Block said.
So far in Estevan, the drug of choice continues to be cocaine with ecstasy and of course the ubiquitous marijuana. Methamphetamine is not a favoured drug in this area, but meth forms a base in ecstasy, so in that respect, it's certainly in the mix.
"We are throwing all the resources we can on this problem while not sacrificing our other jobs," said Block.
Three EPS members are now dedicating a lot of their time and talents to the violent crimes and drug trafficking files which go hand-in-hand.
Although he said he was not a spokesman for the RCMP, he knew they too, would like to devote more time to the same subject, but they needed regular shift coverage as well, so too for the international border agency who also end up involved in the same subject on a regular basis.
"We make the management decisions, we're not easing up," said Block.
"We also try to stay within our budget and on that note I can say we are getting the full support from the Estevan Board of Police Commissioners. We have one more constable going into training this summer who will be joining our service soon after, and we're seeking another constable through the provincially funded program that is sending 30 additional officers into the field to help handle growth. I'm hoping they recognize that this area is certainly one where we can use the extra help. We need two more at least, but we'd take one," he added.
Block said he couldn't speak for others, but he expected there were similar problems emerging in centres such as Weyburn, but perhaps to a lesser extent, since it didn't seem that they were having to combat the cocaine trafficking to the same level as they were in Estevan.
With the drug trade, you will see increases in related incidents such as thefts from residences, businesses and vehicles because the drug user needs a continual flow of funds to feed the addiction.
The fact the local oil industry has slowed to a near halt due to a continuation of road bans related to soggy conditions means that cash flow in many households has been reduced or nearly eliminated and "when you're not getting the big income any more and your regular lifestyle requires it, not just for drugs, it could be liquor or other big money items, then you're going to see an increase in violent incidents and that includes a lot of domestic disputes too," said Block.
To help combat the violent crimes that this growing community is encountering, Block said that as a police service, EPS simply suggests that victims or those who need to get out of that downward swirling vortex of use, abuse and violence need to come forward.
"If you know it's happening, report. We don't need you to be the police, we just need to know. We can work with confidential information, the people who come forward don't need to be involved but it's human nature to be hesitant," Block said.
The drugs of choice in Estevan are generally coming from British Columbia with another flow, usually ecstasy arriving from Edmonton. Very little of it is coming up to Canada from the United States, he said.
Integrated intelligence units and drug enforcement personnel from Regina are often used to move an investigation forward, but they're always busy with other files too, so are not always available at prime moments in an ongoing investigation. But everyone is doing their best and applying their resources to the subject.
What is worrying to Block is the fact that the local drug trade now appears to be more structured in terms of sales and distribution. There are fewer free lancers now; it's more like a gang-related situation.
"So when you get things like this happening it's almost an evolution toward a gang mentality and all those things that are associated with that world," said Block.
So Estevan can expect to see more suspected perpetrators being marched into local courtrooms, more police time, money and talent being spent on the pursuit of keeping a lid on violent crimes and the drug trade while the rest of us enjoy all the positive aspects of watching our community grow into the energy capital of Canada. It's part of the price we are expected to pay for this growth.
Estevan is not an isolated community in this matter; it has happened everywhere when rapid growth and big money combine to bring out both the good and the bad. It's a fact of life and it's up to the community, not just the police, to ensure that the bad is reduced in impact while allowing the good to grow.
