North Battleford break-ins more than double, driven by small number of people: RCMP

Battlefords RCMP commander Insp. Ryan How told North Battleford city council that “there’s a very small amount of people that are doing an incredible amount of damage.”

He cited a duo who had been in custody for a few months as an example, saying property crime decreased while they were held and increased significantly after they were released.

How said arrests had recently been made and expressed hope that would help stabilize the numbers. He did not identify those arrested or specify what charges had been laid.

“Multiple businesses can be hit in an evening, and that really spikes our numbers,” he said.

Mayor Kelli Hawtin said she has recently received “a lot of calls” about property crime, particularly break-ins affecting the city’s industrial parks. How said police were also seeing crimes of opportunity involving homes, yards and other residential properties.

He said many victims do not report lower-level property crimes because they believe doing so will not produce results.

“If people are calling in with frustrations, the first question I ask is, ‘Did you report it?’ Generally, the answer is no. The answer is, ‘What’s the point?’” How said.

He urged residents and business owners to use the RCMP’s online crime-reporting tool, even when an incident appears minor. The reports give police information about when and where crimes are occurring, allowing officers to identify patterns and direct resources to problem areas.

How said online reporting is intended for lower-priority incidents. Each report is assigned to a member for follow-up, and the person who submits it receives an acknowledgement and a file number that can be used for insurance purposes.

Hawtin added, “That creates a very important network of data for the RCMP to follow up with residents or business owners, but also to try to track patterns and actually resolve the issues.”

Online crime reports can be submitted through the RCMP’s online reporting portal at https://ocre-sielc.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/saskatchewan/en

How said the detachment has advanced investigations underway targeting property crime, although he did not provide details. The municipal investigative unit, which previously focused specifically on crimes against people, is now directing part of its work toward property offences.

The quarterly report also showed person offences increased four per cent, from 356 to 370. Robberies rose from nine to 20, while firearms offences involving the use, discharge or pointing of a firearm fell from 12 to five.

How credited the gang task force, crime reduction team and other proactive police work for the reduction in firearms offences.

“That has to be the biggest priority for our detachment,” he said.

How said staffing at the Battlefords detachment has improved, giving members more time for proactive policing. He added that preliminary third-quarter information indicates overall crime trends are falling, although no figures were presented to council.

“I’m optimistic that the next time I come here in Q3 that we will have some much better numbers,” How said.

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com

by Kenneth Cheung

North Battleford break-ins more than double, driven by small number of people: RCMP

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