The first RCMP policing numbers are in for 2013 and calls for service to Battlefords City Detachment have dropped significantly compared to the previous year.
Numbers for January 2013 saw 779 calls for service, compared to 1,148 in January 2012.
Responsible for much of the drop was a decline in provincial traffic offences from 269 in 2012 to 65 in 2013.
Also down year-to-year were drug offences, from 60 in 2012 down to 23 last month.
Beyond those, there was little noticeable difference in numbers in the report compiled by Battlefords RCMP S/Sgt. Phil Wilson. Wilson's report was presented to city council Monday by Sgt. Neil Tremblay from the Battlefords detachment.
Criminal code offences were down slightly from 135 to 120 and Liquor act infractions were also down for the same period from 21 to 14. Municipal bylaw offences and calls for assistance were also down, from 14 to 12 and from 74 to 36, respectively.
Person offences rose from 59 in 2012 to 73; property offences rose from 158 to 159 and motor vehicle collisions were up from 23 to 36. Also rising were impaired operation of a motor vehicle from 20 to 23.
Break and enters fell for businesses from two to one and for residential from seven to six.
There were 76 false alarms in January.
A total of 20 foot patrols were recorded in the city last month. The report also noted there were numerous vehicle patrols to ensure a visible presence of police in the downtown core, in addition to patrols being done throughout the entire city.
The rise in motor vehicle collisions got the attention of Councillor Trent Houk, who said he believed the increase was weather-related. He also pointed to SGI's numbers pointing to a spike across the province.
"Just a reminder to people to pay attention out there and slow down, especially in school zones," said Houk.
