(File photo/battlefordsNOW staff)

By Angela Brown

Quarterly report

RCMP reports traffic offences high in latest city numbers

Feb 18, 2022 | 2:10 PM

The Battlefords RCMP are reporting provincial traffic offence numbers are among the top of the list in the quarterly report for the municipality of North Battleford.

Staff-Sgt. Jason Teniuk presented the findings, covering October to December 2021, at this week’s city council meeting.

Provincial traffic offences increased by 17 per cent in the period, with a tally of 547 in 2021, compared to 467 in 2020. Speeding reports alone went up by 55 per cent.

“Speeding is up considerably,” Teniuk said. “That really depends on who is in town, who is doing it.”

One of the largest increases are under Ministry of Justice offences, including bail violations, breach of probation, failing to appear in court, with an 83 per cent increase over last year’s tally. As well, the quarterly period total more than doubled.

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“It’s something we’re keeping an eye on,” Teniuk said. “It seems like conditions that come out of the courts, conditions that come from police releases are just a suggestion, is what our clients seem to think.”

He said many people are being charged while on conditions in the community, adding that “it’s something to be concerned with.”

During his report, Teniuk said vehicle thefts continue to be a problem. Thefts of recreational vehicles are also an issue.

“It’s a sign of the times here right now,” he said. “Recreational vehicles are actually hard to locate if you want to legally purchase them right now. They are in short supply and they are very expensive. As commodity prices go up, so does crime.”

Teniuk said the RCMP will do what they can to recover as many stolen vehicles as possible. He added that the police are working on some plans to deal with the problem.

“We just need to get a handle on that,” he said.

As far as human resources are concerned, the Battlefords RCMP is getting four new cadets and two experienced officers starting at the detachment. They are also currently working to fill some support staff vacancies.

“We should still be in not too bad a shape moving forward,” Teniuk added.

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Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow