That's the message Staff Sergeant Randy Bleich wants West Lincoln aldermen to bring back to their constituents suffering from loud noise levels, ATV troubles, and private property encroachments.

After fielding a variety of questions from the local politicians at council last Monday, Staff Sgt. Bleich summed it up like this: "We're driven by calls for service, the majority between 8 p.m. and 3 a.m. Call. We'll do our best."

Aldermen around the council table brought forward complaints of "annoying" ATV use in Smithville's subdivisions at late times of night. However, the residents voicing the complaints are calling their aldermen, rather than the police, because they fear retribution from the ATV drivers, should they identify them.

"Residents really fear retaliation if they complain," said Ald. Sue-Ellen Merritt. "It's a real conundrum, a real catch-22."

Still, Staff Sgt. Bleich encouraged people to call police while the incident is occurring.

"If they won't identify the drivers, even when they know, it puts our backs against the wall," he said. "We need help from our citizens."

All legal ATVs and snowmobiles need a licence plate, which identifies the machine, he added.

Ald. Doug Joyner said there is a pattern to the ATV presence, and a potential patrol could help curb the situation.

Ald. Mike Rehner was interested in having another officer patrolling Caistor Centre to reduce the amounts of illegal dumpings.

Ald. Mary Dinga wondered if an officer could patrol around Tim Hortons on Saturday mornings to prevent customers from parking illegally on the road to get their coffee.

But Staff Sgt. Bleich reminded council that their municipality was the only one in District 8 employing two officers.

"Unfortunately, although your the biggest in size, you're smallest in population," he said.

Staff Sgt. Bleich also updated council on the municipality's crime stats from 2007. His officers are working hard to keep the residents of West Lincoln safe, he said.

Break-and-enter incidents were down nine per cent from 2006, while stolen vehicles were down 11 per cent. Incidents of mischief and assaults were also down slightly.

There were two motor vehicle fatalities last year, "still two too many," Staff Sgt. Bleich said. In 2008, Regional roads 65, 69, 20 and 2 will be focused on more heavily for radar patrol. Over 500 more tickets were handed out in West Lincoln in 2007 over 2006.

Liquor offences were down 46 per cent, thanks in large part to the Safe Parks initiative, which will begin again this year on June 13.

Drug busts and auto thefts were both up significantly last year. Drug incidents were up 60 per cent, a statistic Staff Sgt. Bleich deemed "good" because it spoke of higher enforcement and more arrests. Auto thefts were up around 30 per cent.

Soon, he said, a bylaw booklet will be printed and provided to all officers to allow them to know each municipality's bylaw rulings.