Family violence, crime erupted over holidays FOR MOST people, crime doesn't top the list of memorable holiday mo- ments. But for some local families, violence or theft were unfortunate realities of - the season. Between Christmas Day and Jan. 7, Terrace RCMP were. kept busy with a rash of break-and-enters, spousal assaults and threats of suicide. “It’s fairly = common around Christmas and New Years,’” says Staff Sgt. Doug Wheler. ‘‘Some people have a heck of a time.” Wheler says the vast ma- jority of spousal assaults were associated with al- cohol — especially with all the partying during the holi- days. Drinking is not always the underlying cause, but Wheler says it often acts as a trigger to aggressive be- havior. And it’s not always the case of men assaulting women. “Sometimes the female assaults the male or they both assault cach-other,’’ he says. “That can get really complicated, especially if Police expect raises RCMP OFFICERS in Ter- race have their fingers crossed in hopes of soon getting their first pay raise in more than five years. Mounties are the worst- paid of the nine largest po- lice forces in the country. _ Senior constables with the . Vancouver. RCMP eam $50,508 annual- ly — about $5,000 less than _ police stables. 3.260" “The wagezap has som people suggesting that the RCMP is being watered- down as senior members leave to take more luctative positions in other police forces or the private sector. . Inspector Steve Leach says that isn’t a problem in Terrace, which is popular destination and has a slight- ly lower cost of living than the lower mainland. *T’ve never had that hap- - pen,’’ Leach says of losing officers to higher-paying forces, ‘‘But I have heard of officers going the other way (coming from other forces to the RCMP). Terrace often has young RCMP officers, Leach says, because the city is used as a _ sort of training ground for new members, Last year, seven rookies started their . careers in Terrace. “It works well,” Leach says. “The calibre of people going into the RCMP is ex- cellent’ They are well- trained in Regina, then we _take them and put them into field-work here.’’ Years ago, RCMP officers posted in Terrace also received isolation pay on _top of their regular salaries. The money was compensa- ’ tion for living in areas that were difficult or expensive to travel to and from. Terrace isn’t considered isolated by the RCMP brass any more. The nearest isola- ted community is now New Aiyansh. “They get the allowance, but they come down here and use the same airport,” Leach says. ‘'We bave lo keep reminding them (offi- _clals down south) that it cosis a lot and takes a long time to get anywhere from here.”’ And Leach says while other forces have been gel- ting raises every year or two, the Mounties’ wages have stayed the same. Now with the wage-freeze over at the end of 1997, Leach hopes it will mean a raise for his officers this year. © A deal being put forward to Ottawa could see the RCMP salaries rise by 7.8 per cent. That would give them the fourth-highest po- lice salary in the country. All those boxes and packages for new TVs, VCRs, stereos and computers that were left out with the garbage proved pretty enticing for crooks. children are watching the fight. You’ve got your presents all laid out and meanwhile Mom and Dad are beating each other up — even on Christmas Day.’’ Between Dec, 25 and Jan. 7, police responded to more than a dozen calls regarding spousal assault. Several have resulted in charges to one or both of the people in- volved. Threats of suicide during the holidays also kept police on their toes. Wheler says one threat involved alcohol consumption, while another was due to different psychological factors. That man was later arrested under the Mental Health Act and taken to hospital. “As much as Christmas is a joyous time for a lot of in- dividuals, it’s a very tough time financially and emo- tionally for others,’’ Wheler points out, Property crime also jumped after Christmas, with more than a dozen break-and-enters or al- tempied break-and-enters reported. It seems that all those boxes and packages for new TVs, VCRs, stereos and computers that were left out with the garbage proved pretty enticing for crooks. ‘‘When the packages are placed outside it’s like an advertisement,” Wheler says. “Especially with so many people going away for the holidays.”” Wheler says people should Sgt. Doug Wheler remember to break down any packaging that came with entertainment equip- ment. or other expensive items. ‘Suspects have told us that they targeted certain houses because of the pack- aging left outside,’* he says. women and newborns. BC Women's Is the only health care Facillty In Britlsh Columbia devoted to Qntish Columbia's Women's Hospital and Heath Centre oy BC WOMEN'S A bowser in women deatibe Wednesday, January 21, 1998 - A9 FREE RSP SEMINAR _ — Attend a Royal Mutual Funds Seminar and make sure your RSP investment strategy is on track, January 27, 1998 ie 7 pm at the Terrace fon a Speaker: Royal Mutual Funds Inc. 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