Thefts under $5,000 have increased by nearly 30 per cent this year over last year, with the police attributing some of that to the theft of fuel and most to shoplifting.
The Moose Jaw Police Service (MJPS) presented the June statistics during the recent Board of Police Commissioners meeting. The document contained information about crime stats for last month and since January.
There have been 367 incidents of theft under $5,000 during the first six months of this year, compared to 288 incidents during the same period last year, the report showed. This is an increase of 27.4 per cent.
Commissioner Doug Blanc noticed this stat and wondered if the main cause was people filling their vehicles and fleeing without paying because of high gas costs.
“We don’t have lots. We do have some. The majority of these are still shoplifting-related types of offences and someone (waking) up in the morning and something has been stolen from their yard — a bicycle or something,” said Police Chief Rick Bourassa.
“…We know that a lot are not reported to us, so we are not happy seeing that increase.”
Police solve most shoplifting cases because the alleged thief is caught nearby, he added. However, sometimes officers must review security video to ensure they identify the correct person.
The MJPS has implemented a new online reporting program that makes it easier for residents to bring forward complaints about theft, said Supt. Rick McKenna.
In the past, people would not report thefts for small items because they did not want to waste officers’ time. With the new program, they can submit complaints about low-priority issues from their cellphones, he continued. This also allows the MJPS to capture data it has not before.
“Potentially, you’re going to see some of those numbers come up, (but) it doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s an increase in the actual offences. I think what we’re hoping to get is an increase in the number of people reporting and the confidence in the public to report,” McKenna added.
Crimes against the person
Year-to-date data for crimes against the person this year versus last year show:
- Homicide: 1 / 0
- Attempted murder: 0 / 2
- Assaults (sexual, common, with a weapon/cause bodily harm, aggravated, against police): 167 / 136
- Robbery: 6 / 1
- Threats under section 810: 49 / 23
- Domestic dispute: 49 / 93
- Total: 272 / 255
Crimes against property
Year-to-date data for crimes against property for this year versus last year show:
- Break-ins (business, residence, other): 131 / 144
- Theft of vehicles: 31 / 33
- Theft over $5,000: 8 / 9
- Theft under $5,000: 367 / 288
- Arson: 6 / 7
- Mischief under $5,000: 174 / 163
- Total: 717 / 644
Other crimes
Year-to-date data for other types of crimes for this year versus last year show:
- Impaired driving: 59 / 65
- Failing to comply with court orders: 456 / 386
- Pandemic responses: 7 / 79
- Vehicle collisions over $1,000: 138 / 97
- Provincial liquor infractions: 63 / 94
- Summary offence tickets: 728 / 1,043
- Drugs (cocaine, cannabis, meth, other CDSA drugs): 17 / 30
- Calls for service: 9,035 / 7,458
The police service will remove the “pandemic responses” line since such health restrictions have been lifted, said Bourassa. Meanwhile, with the police receiving nearly 1,600 more calls for service this year than last year, 2022 could be one of the agency’s busiest years ever.
“Our members are working hard. We’re stretching them pretty thin, but they’re holding up,” he added. “And with our new officers coming, that should take some pressure off.”
The next Board of Police Commissioners meeting is Thursday, Aug. 11.
