CODETTE — Reported crimes since April have been down for the Nipawin RCMP.
“The bulk of our crime is in the Town of Nipawin, we’re seeing a little sneak more out to the outskirts, the rural areas,” said Cpl. Josh Martin with the Nipawin detachment of the RCMP. “No difference like an increase or decrease that’s concerning, so to speak.”
Last year from April to October the number of total reported person crimes were 211, total reported property crimes were 344, total reported criminal code violations were 800, total reported provincial traffic violations were 399 and the total calls for service was 1,401. This year the total reported person crimes were 168, total reported property crimes were 320, total reported criminal code violations were 604, total reported provincial traffic violations were 306 and the total calls for service was 1288.
The Nipawin RCMP held a public meeting where they discussed this on Nov. 1 in Codette.
“The key points for tonight’s meeting was Nipawin-Smeaton, this detachment area is a safe place to live,” Martin said. “Statistics show the crime statistics are down, the numbers are lower. That being said, we want to stress to the public if something is going on to call the police so we know where the crime is happening, where the trends are.”
The Nipawin RCMP doesn’t have an answer for why the crime is down this year.
During a public question period, one person asked what they could do to protect themselves if a trespasser was on their property committing crimes.
“I don’t encourage anyone using firearms to protect themselves,” Martin said. “I have a feeling that it would end badly for someone, and it’s dangerous. It’s dangerous for the police when they show up knowing there are extra guns out. I prefer people just to leave them and make sure look after themselves by leaving, relocating. Protecting their loved ones by removing them from that situation as quickly as possible and making sure the police are called.”
Martin advises if there is an intruder, rather than get a weapon, flee and call the RCMP.
“One of the biggest things I say is they have to look after themselves. When I say look after [I mean] their wellbeing first. Property can be replaced, lives cannot be. They have to do what is safe to themselves and do whatever they can do to protect themselves before a crime happens. That can come taking steps like extra lighting, like I talked about, notifying your neighbors [when you’re away]. Taking steps to reporting suspicious behavior at your neighbors yard, not just for yourself but protecting your neighbors as well.”
One question raised was whether police would remove stored firearms from a home after an incident where a gun was fired by the home's owner.
“If the firearms are there in an unsafe manner, we will secure them,” Martin said. “It doesn’t mean there will be a charge, secure the firearms, secure the ammunition to protect the people around and protect ourselves. That definitely does not mean anything is disposed of or destroyed. It’s a public safety and looking after people at that time. There are rules to follow, licensing and having the right licences and having the right training to get those licences. Those have to be in place and if it’s not it is an offence and we will if necessary we will have to seize firearms. We won’t be doing it if it’s not necessary.”
