What they do over here

Just been reading the Telegraph this morning (Afternoon in the UK – 8hrs time difference) with all its stories on street crime in the UK. Next to me is a copy of the local newspaper with the crime statistics from a Ski Resort called Squamish and its suburbs in British Columbia. In one week the crime statistics read as follows; 309 open files, 14 Complaints of erratic driving, 4 impaired driving, 18 false alarms, 24 abandoned 911 (Emergency) calls. Confirmed arrests & ‘crimes’; one theft from vehicle, one breaking and entering, one drunk and disorderly, one outstanding warrant; six bear sightings in the middle of town.

All this in an area over ten kilometres long. On a walk through town, we saw two RCMP patrols doing what Coppers from time immemorial have done best; go out looking for trouble. Over here the courts seem to be better at nailing malefactors to the nearest wall, especially the petty stuff, which the local cops come down on hard & heavy. I’ve never felt more relaxed – now if only they could keep those pesky bears out of town.