The April crime statistics report for the Battlefords RCMP detachment was more of the same — with numbers still slowly creeping up for most crime categories in the city.
While the increases were a concern, other communities are seeing a similar trend. Insp. John Sutherland noted it was "common across the country.”
"This upward trend is not just in North Battleford," said Sutherland.
Statistics through the month of April show the following increases for the year so far: persons offences are up 35 per cent, residential break and enter up 14 per cent, property offences up 14 per cent, criminal code offences up 16 per cent, drug offences up 11 per cent and liquor acts up 25 per cent.
The one category seeing a decrease is impaired operation of a motor vehicle, down 11 per cent. Provincial traffic offences are down 24 per cent. Business break and enters are unchanged compared to a year ago.
Person offences, Criminal Code, drug, Liquor Act and property offences showed some increases, while numbers for break and enters were stable in April.
Impaired operation of a motor vehicle continued to be lower, with 22 instances in April, down five from a year earlier. Provincial traffic offences were also down to 103 from 113.
The biggest spike was in property offences in April, up to 236 from 183 a year earlier.
According to Sutherland's written report to council, the spike was due to an increase in mischief and damage to or obstruction of enjoyment of property instances. This relates directly to alcohol-related calls of disturbances in residences, according to Sutherland's report.
There were a total number of calls for service of 950 in the month of April. As well, RCMP recorded 18 foot patrols in the city, for a total of 59 for the first four months of the year.
The numbers were presented Tuesday to the City's Planning Committee meeting at City Hall.
Sutherland was also asked about some more recent activities of police. Councillor Ryan Bater brought up the aerial coverage of Highway 4 north over the May long weekend.
Sutherland noted the enforcement effort had a strong "educational" aspect.
Even though police were highly visible between Cochin and North Battleford, they did catch several drivers speeding in excess of 130 km/h, he said.
"There is a lot of work to do yet in enforcement and education out there," said Sutherland.
Bater commended the RCMP on the effort, noting how dangerous that particular road has been.
Sutherland also reported a further boost to the city's efforts to deal with crime. He reported the detachment commander position for North Battleford has been nominated for acceptance into the Sask. Association for Chiefs of Police.
That will allow the City to advance their interests at those meetings.
