By Ian Holmes

Sex assaults and fentanyl getting increased attention from Nanaimo RCMP

Aug 23, 2016 | 4:36 PM

NANAIMO — Sexual assaults and the drug fentanyl are key policing priorities at the Nanaimo detachment.

City council has set its policing priorities for the next year, which include usual core issues like crime prevention, working closely with youth, and improving safety on our roads.

Nanaimo RCMP Staff Sgt. Mark Fisher says sexual assault investigations will get more attention by Nanaimo RCMP members, pointing to an eight percent increase in these offences in the past year, with 132 reports.

He says although more resources aren’t going toward sexual assaults, he says a stronger “departmental focus” will go toward battling the issue.

“I think council recognizes and we definitely recognize the need to continue to dedicate some of our plain clothed resources in investigating those offences, staying on top of them and doing everything we can to protect those who are vulnerable in the community,” says Fisher.

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He says their detachment has a close working relationship with resources like Haven House, to help vulnerable women flee dangerous situations.

On the fentynal side of things, Fisher says it’s a daunting task battling the often fatal drug, but says there have been some recent successes, pointing to the arrest of several key fentanyl traffickers.

He says alerting users of the dangers of fentanyl is important for their officers to do, as is ensuring police keep an open and more constant flow of communication with front-line resources, like Island Health, regarding any fentanyl trends.

“That was a discussion that we’ve had on a couple occasions before, but not to the same priority placed on it as there is this year given the amount we’ve seen in the community.”

The B.C. Coroners Service reported 19 fentanyl overdose deaths in Nanaimo during the first seven months of the year, which equals last year’s total.