A move by the RCMP to centralize services could see Jasper lose its traffic patrol officers to Hinton, but potentially increase enforcement in the area.

“Our traffic unit will be moving to Hinton and that’s a good thing,” said RCMP Staff Sergeant David Maludzinski. “It makes sense because it’s more central.”

Currently, four RCMP officers make up the Jasper traffic unit, which covers the National Park, the Hinton area and up to Grande Cache. It operates separately from the regular Jasper RCMP detachment; however, a new agreement could see the RCMP work in partnership with the provincial Sheriffs unit.

“There’s going to be more co-operation,” Sgt. Maludzinski said. “We’ll probably get more traffic service if they do this.”

The move could actually mean more officers covering the area, as RCMP members based in Hinton would travel to Jasper for investigations.

“They like to come to Jasper because it’s a pipeline for drugs from British Columbia,” Sgt. Maludzinski said.

The move won’t come for ‘a number of years’ Maludzinski said, but will improve traffic coverage as well as areas where the detachment is looking to improve, such as drug enforcement.

Moving officers to Hinton will also alleviate housing issues the detachment faces. Currently, the RCMP has six houses for 13 members. Very few RCMP officers can afford to purchase homes in Jasper.

Drug enforcement has been identified as an area the Jasper RCMP would like to improve.

Jasper RCMP have seen a significant drop in the number of drug charges over the past three years. Drug investigations are down 64.5 per cent in Jasper since 2006, and Sgt. Maludzinksi doesn’t think that’s a result of less drugs coming to Jasper, and he identifies that number as his biggest concern for policing in Jasper.

The department has lost a lot of drug investigation expertise in recent years. However, younger officers are now learning those roles.

“You need some experience, as it’s all a little more complicated (to investigate)” Sgt. Maludzinski said.

Drug investigations require more work than the public understands, Sgt. Maludzinski said, however, he anticipates drug charges increasing in 2010. The detachment is very young and is gaining experience, he said.

“These guys are starting to develop,” Sgt. Maludzinski said.

Coun. Brenda Zinck asked if the sheriff’s program has ever made an appearance on Highway 16. She noted that there are several speeders on that highway.

Sgt. Maludzinski said currently, the provincial sheriffs are only in Jasper for prisoner transfers.

Traffic violations currently make up the bulk of Jasper RCMP work. In 2009, the Jasper RCMP, excluding the traffic unit, issued 532 provincial traffic tickets, up nearly 30 per cent from 2006.

Sgt. Maludzinski said traffic work often leads to other charges, such as warrant pick-ups.

“I like my guys to do work on the highway,” Sgt. Maludzinski said.

Impaired driving charges have also dropped considerably in Jasper. In 2006, 110 drunk driving tickets were issued. That number has been cut to 53 in 2009.

On a positive note, Sgt. Maludzinski said mischief and vandalism – an area the town has long struggled with – has been reduced. Mischief charges are down 27.5 per cent in 2009, dropping to 110 incidents from 151 incidents in 2008.

“It’s encouraging because we can see something that’s working,” Sgt. Maludzinski said. He credits community members and council for helping reduce that number, and said there has been a significant drop of incidents on Patricia St.

He also said the force will be more visible in 2010, with more traffic checks scheduled for the year.