NORTH BATTLEFORD - Battlefords RCMP are reporting a positive drop in numbers in some categories in the latest RCMP crime report for North Battleford.
Detachment Commander, Insp. Ryan How presented the statistics for the month of May 2025 and the year-to-date numbers at North Battleford city council's recent meeting.
"We really want to showcase that the detachment is openly working with all of our partners... to suppress crime," he said.
"In terms of the statistics, I'm cautiously optimistic," How said. "We're seeing a nice reduction in Persons Crime in most areas...," he said. "Our watches are told to target an overt or covert initiative every month, whether that's a high visibility traffic stop or focusing on prolific offenders or a problem house or a search warrant, to just be efficient with your resources, and partnered up with our crime reduction team in the area. We're starting to make some headway on some of our more violent offenders, but certainly a long ways to go."
He also noted that property crime has seen a decrease.
For the month of May, there were 264 reports, compared to 386 for the same time in 2024, which is a 32 per cent decline. For the year to date, property crime has gone down to 1,157 reports, compared to 1,505 reports for the same period last year, a 23 per cent drop.
"I do caution that I'm concerned that the public may not be reporting minor offences," How said. "So while it is a reduction, I am always cautious with that."
In the next week, How said he hopes to have a new property crime initiative roll out.
"It's going to involve some covert tools we have, and some overt bike patrols, foot patrols in some targeted areas," he said. "There are some issues in some areas of the city with property crime and vandalism in the small hours of the night. We're going to do our best with the resources we have to focus on that. So, we're hoping to see a further reduction in property crime there."
Police foot patrols in the downtown area have been reflected in more reports of disturbing the peace.
"An increase in stats in that regard is a good thing," How said. "It shows more police availability and self-generated work in the downtown core."
Deputy Mayor Bill Ironstand said the report shows the police are doing good work.
"We have faith in your department," he said. "I know that on a personal level I appreciate all that you do."
Looking at the statistics, total crimes reported came in at 1,554 for May, compared to 1,385 for the same month last year, a 12 per cent increase. The year-to-date numbers show a five per cent increase.
Persons offences saw a decline to 119 reports in May, versus 124 for the same month in 2024. The year-to-date numbers saw a five per cent decrease from the same time last year.
Mischief reports decreased, to 155 in May, compared to 250 for the same time last year, a 38 per cent drop. For the year-to-date number, mischief offences saw a decrease of 23 per cent.
