The monthly crime statistics for May, released during the June 20 meeting of the Estevan board of police commissioners, showed the Estevan Police Service handled 632 infractions and calls for service, down from 719 in May 2018.
The total calls for service for the first five months of the year were 3,234, down 2.2 per cent from the 3,306 for the first five months of 2018.
The EPS had 11 crimes against the person in May, with 10 assaults and one assault causing bodily harm, bringing the total for the year to 44 such incidents. Thirty-nine reports were for assaults, three were for assaults causing bodily harm and two were for sexual crimes.
In May 2018, there were 17 such crimes, and the total for the first five months of last year was 60.
Twenty-seven crimes against property were committed last month, the same number as May 2018. Last month saw two mischief/wilful damage incidents and 10 thefts under $5,000.
So far this year, there have been 108 crimes against property, with theft under $5,000 (51 incidents) and mischief-willful damage (37) leading the way. Also reported were seven residential break and enters, four business break and enters, three other break and enters, three thefts of vehicles and three thefts over $5,000.
In the first five months of 2018, there were 117 such incidents.
Two charges were laid under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act in May. Both were for trafficking. There were 10 charges laid under the act, with five each for trafficking and possession.
In May 2018, there were eight charges issued, and 36 charges for the first five months of the year.
Thirteen charges were issued for Criminal Code traffic violations, including nine for impaired driving-related offences, two for impairment by drug and two for dangerous driving and other. In the first five months of the year, there were 53 violations, with 41 for impairment or exceeding related offences, seven for impairment by drug and five for dangerous driving and other.
Nineteen such charges were laid in May 2018, and 71 were issued in the first five months of last year.
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Ladouceur pointed out the police have encountered issues with the saliva test device used to determine impairment by drug.
There have been a couple of incidents in which the machine had to be sent back to the manufacturer for repairs.
The product was manufactured by Drager, and Ladouceur said they have a good reputation, but there are other products out there on the market. Before purchasing a different unit, Ladouceur said it might be prudent to look at what else is available.
“The Drager is a good piece of equipment but it’s fairly large to be a mobile unit,” said Ladouceur.
