The Richmond RCMP has set forth three community objectives for 2015/2016. While the first two objectives may not come as a surprise, the third relates to an increase in mental health calls being fielded by police.
City council approved the community priorities at a council meeting. Here are the objectives as spelled out by the police:
1. Pedestrian Safety - Despite notable success in driving down fatal and injurious collisions in previous years, Richmond has experienced a recent increase in such incidents. The bulk of recent traffic fatalities in Richmond have been pedestrian related. Consequently, a continued focus on reducing pedestrian fatalities and injuries is warranted. The Detachment will enhance pedestrian safety through a multipronged approach comprising education, enforcement, and improvements to the built environment.
2. Break and Enters & Thefts from Automobiles - Recent analysis shows an increase in break and enters and thefts from automobiles. A rise in these offences is affecting CNCL - 68January 19,2015 - 4 - policing jurisdictions across the Lower Mainland. To drive down break and enters and thefts from automobiles, Richmond Detachment will pursue crime reduction initiatives
3. Mental Health - Richmond Detachment is experiencing an escalation in mental health related calls for service. These calls consume considerable Detachment resources in terms of the number of calls, as well as the length of time officers must devote to finding both short and long-term solutions for those who as a result of a mental health challenge generate calls for service. To better serve those with mental health challenges and free police resources for criminal investigations and public safety concerns, the Detachment will take a lead role in enhancing the integration of mental health support services and stakeholders, improve data collection to develop understanding of this issue's magnitude, and enrich the effectiveness of frontline police officers to deescalate mental health crisis incidents.
