The latest quarterly report for the RCMP in Battleford found increases in drug and impaired driving offences and decreases in break-and-enters. (Josh Ryan/battlefordsNOW)

By Josh Ryan

Up & Down

Battleford RCMP report shows less burglary, more drug offences

Jan 30, 2021 | 4:00 PM

The latest quarterly report from Battlefords RCMP at Battleford Town Council shows crime is either rising or dropping, depending on the statistic.

The report, delivered to the town on Monday, showed a slight increase in total files at three per cent, with significant reductions in break-and-enter incidents and significant increases in both drug offences and impaired driving. The total number of arrests in the Fourth Quarter of 2020 is also down compared to 2019.

Mayor Ames Leslie said they were pleased to see there’s progress while appreciating that there’s work that needs to be done.

“It’s nice of them to acknowledge there are issues, as well as that seeing higher numbers also means we’re also getting stuff done.”

“Hopefully small successes can lead to change.”

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One statistic where an increase could actually be viewed as a positive is drug offences, which are up 57 per cent in late 2020. Staff Sgt. Jason Teniuk acknowledged that many will see this increase as a concern, but pointed to large drug seizures of cocaine and methamphetamine as a sign that the detachment is helping to keep drugs off the streets.

“The good thing is that enforcement is what’s driving the number up,” he said. “There’s going to be peaks and valleys, depending on supply and demand goes, but overall, we’re putting a real dent into those issues. And we’re going to keep at it.”

The other major rise, 60 per cent more impaired driving offences, is also affected by a number of factors, such as more individuals possibly consuming alcohol during the pandemic. However, Teniuk said it’s a concerning number, due to the fact that it’s only the number of cases where police caught some driving impaired.

“We don’t catch everybody, so there’s a lot we can’t report on because we don’t have the stat to cover,” he said. “The large statistic is also affected by COVID and traffic projects involving units from outside the Battlefords stopping vehicles, so there are multiple reasons for the increase.”

The most positive statistic, reduced break and enter crimes, was particularly prominent for businesses, where there’s a 64 per cent drop. Teniuk said it will be an interesting area to watch moving forward.

“With the COVID situation, people aren’t traveling,” “People are staying home a lot more than they were, so it will be interesting to see how the stat changes as we go along. We just have to monitor as we go.”

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josh.ryan@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JoshRyanSports