For the year 2016, Nipawin saw more crime than Melfort or Tisdale.
Staff Sergeant Darren Wouters brought last year’s statistics to Nipawin Council March 13. In his report, Nipawin saw higher totals in every area:
| Nipawin | Melfort | Tisdale | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total person crimes | 278 | 140 | 83 |
| Total property crimes | 565 | 313 | 153 |
| Impaired driving offences | 45 | 40 | 30 |
| Total Criminal Code | 1,304 | 765 | 404 |
| Calls for service | 2,981 | 2,078 | 1,223 |
These statistics account for calls within the Town of Nipawin and don’t include other areas covered by the detachment.
“You can see that Nipawin is a fairly busy spot in the Northeast,” said Wouters. “I wouldn’t say it’s any more dangerous or less safe to live here. It’s a little busier.”
He also said that he has requested additional members for the Nipawin detachment.
“I don’t expect that we’ll get any because the situation is similar across the province. Places like La Ronge are short and they need policemen worse than we do, to be honest.”
Wouters also provided crime statistics for Nipawin from 2014, 2015 and 2016.
| 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total person crimes | 256 | 278 | 305 |
| Total property crimes | 417 | 571 | 504 |
| Impaired operating offences | 45 | 46 | 50 |
| Total Criminal Code | 1,169 | 1,305 | 1,298 |
“Crime is increasing, I would have to say,” said Wouters.
Wouters’ report to council also included statistics for the month of February 2017 as compared to the same month in 2016. This year’s month was much quieter, with 166 calls for service compared to 266 in 2016. All other numbers were down for February 2017: 12 person crimes instead of 25, 20 property crimes instead of 70 and 72 Criminal Code offences instead of 137.
