The first quarter statistical data is in for Battlefords RCMP detachment showing declines in several areas.
Overall calls for service for the January to March period are down from 2,880 last year to 2,726 this year. As well, declines are being reported for the quarter in the following categories:
Person offences - down from 280 to 253;
Break and enters business - down from nine to eight;
Break and enters residence - down from 51 to 31;
Criminal code - down from 495 to 390;
Provincial traffic offences - down from 241 to 203;
Impaired operation of a motor vehicle - down from 55 to 43.
There were some increases noted. Property offences were up from 556 to 662. Drug offences were up from 45 to 48. And municipal bylaw infractions were up from 20 to 26.
At council Monday, Insp. John Sutherland attributed the increase in the drug category to the targeted enforcement initiatives the force has undertaken.
In recent months Sutherland said they have had the support of the province's Crime Reduction Team doing targeted enforcement, and that has resulted in significant reductions, he said. For crimes against persons, there was a more than 30 per cent reduction in March, from 101 in 2017 to 69 in 2018. For April, there was an approximate 20 per cent drop in violent offences, he noted.
“We’re quite thrilled, and we’re able to show that targeted enforcement and dealing with initiatives aimed at those that are causing problems in the community are quite successful,” said Sutherland.
He also noted these are not targeted against individuals, but rather at social addictions issues and high-risk lifestyles.
The RCMP inspector also noted community policing initiatives are starting to see results, including having an RCMP liaison officer providing support in the high schools and continuing to work on building relationships with the surrounding communities and First Nations.
One thing Sutherland pointed to was efforts with the Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design review committee on parking lots in the downtown. Sutherland noted there was a major shift in parking downtown (referring to the construction on the lot where Magic Lantern’s new cinema is under construction), and they were looking at what could be done to improve safety at the lots there.
In general, council was pleased with the declines in the crime stats. The one trouble spot was property offences, with Councillor Greg Lightfoot asking what could be done to lower those stats.
Insp. Sutherland pointed to combined efforts to encourage people to get to know their neighbours and increase safety in their communities.
He also noted the numbers in the mischief category, with social addictions issues behind many of those. Those would be addressed by the long-term work they are doing.
“We’re not going to solve those issues overnight,” said Sutherland.
