RCMP report shows break and enters up in city

Break and enters overall were up by 15 per cent, with 84 reports for the period in 2021, compared to 73 for the same time last year.

Break and enters to businesses were up by 136 per cent, at 26 for the period in 2021, compared to 11 for the same time in 2020.

“It’s definitely something we’ve very aware of,” Teniuk said. “It’s something that has been going on for quite some time here. It’s concerning, whichever way you look at it.”

Possession or trafficking of stolen goods was up 367 per cent, at 28 reports for the period in 2021, compared to six last year.

As well, thefts were up by 48 per cent, with 337 reports for 2021 period, compared to 227 last year.

Drug-related offences jumped by over 100 per cent, at 54 reports for 2021 compared to 26 for the same time last year.

Teniuk noted when there are more drug-related offences that means the RCMP are doing their job and taking drugs off the street. However, unfortunately, that often leads to more break and enters to businesses, and possession or trafficking stolen goods incidents.

“As we really start to put the [pressure] on the drug crime, and do a lot of work in that area, drugs can get harder to come by. They are more expensive and people have to come up with resourceful, albeit illegal, ways to afford to get their fix,” Teniuk said. “So this is a symptom of that, unfortunately.”

On the positive side, there were no impaired-driving related offences for the period, while last year there was one report for the same time.

Reports of fraud were down by 58 per cent, with 38 reports for the period in 2021, versus 90 in 2020.

Overall the total number of calls were down by 20 per cent in the city, which Teniuk says is a good sign.

“Particularly in the city of North Battleford that much of a decrease in calls I am going to attribute to the CSOs [community safety officers],” he said. “I believe the CSOs are diverting a lot of calls from us. Probably more than they should, at some point, but we’re working on that. They [look after] a substantial amount of calls from us.”

He mentioned the North Battleford RCMP Gang Task Force managed to take over a quarter of a million dollars worth of cocaine and methamphetamine off the streets during the quarterly period, which was “one of the biggest seizures we’ve made in the Battlefords in quite some time.”

On the human resources side, he said there are currently 16 vacancies at the detachment, but added some spots are expected to be filled soon.

Despite the challenges of having reduced resources currently, Teniuk said “we manage to hold our own not too bad.”

Letters of concern

Following his presentation, Teniuk responded to two letters the city received, one from a group of local citizens and one from a business owner, concerned about crime.

A group of homeowners and residents from the Kinsmen Park area wrote that “criminal activity is ongoing throughout our neighbourhood,” and wanted help.

Teniuk said he appreciates their concerns about not feeling safe in their areas.

He said the police and CSOs are working together to reduce crime in the community.

But Teniuk added North Battleford residents have to be willing to help too.

He said “everybody has to play a role in community safety,” and be willing to assist the police and go to court if necessary. One problem the RCMP deal with involves people who won’t provide information about a crime because they say they are worried about retaliation.

“Co-operate with us. Give us the video,” Teniuk said. “Co-operate with us in court. Come to court and tell your story. Retaliation is not an issue in this town. We have 60 officers who work out of this community, and they feel safe, just as anybody else does… We are here. We’re part of the community safety plan. We are not the sole community safety plan.”

He also mentioned the Citizens on Patrol Program volunteers do a lot of work helping the police by advising police if they see anything suspicious.

“You want to make a difference in your community? Come out and join these guys. I know that council has some plans to do that,” Teniuk said. “I think there are so many ways we can improve community safety. But everybody has to play their role, and play their part.”

A separate letter the city received from a business owner asked for help to deal with theft and vandalism. The individual said that many businesses have been affected by the recent rash of break and enters in the community.

Teniuk said he understand the businesses’ frustration.

“It’s a frustration that is shared through the detachment, through the city. I know it’s been a tough year in terms of business break and enters here.”

He said the RCMP have identified a suspect and are just waiting to make the arrest in the recent case identified.

“I want to say to the business owner, I understand what you’re saying,” Teniuk said. “I sympathize with them and I understand the frustration. I agree they [businesses] shouldn’t have to put bars on their windows. We should not have a community where we have to do that.”

Teniuk said the RCMP will keep moving forward and will advise the public when they do make an arrest in the case.

Mayor David Gillan thanked Teniuk for his response in addressing the residents’ and businesses’ concerns.

“The community as a collective, we all have a responsibility in trying to improve our community,” Gillan said. “It’s not just about crime, it’s about social issues, it’s about poverty. There are a lot of issues, and we know that. We appreciate the part that you play.”

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Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow

by Angela Brown

RCMP report shows break and enters up in city

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