Property crimes have increased more than two per cent this year compared to 2022, with theft of items over $5,000 one of three sub-categories to see an increase.
From Jan. 1 to Sept. 31, there were 1,676 total crimes against property compared to 1,639 incidents during the same period last year, an increase of 2.3 per cent, recent crime data from the Moose Jaw Police Service shows.
Property crime
Year-to-date data for crimes against property for 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively, show:
- Break-ins (business, residence, other): 192 / 245 / 248
- Motor vehicle theft: 38 / 48 / 47
- Theft over $5,000: 27 / 15 / 1; an 80-per-cent increase year over year
- Theft under $5,000: 828 / 681 / 549; a 21.6-per-cent increase year over year
- Arson: 1 / 9 / 12
- Mischief under $5,000: 245 / 281 / 302
In particular, “other” break-ins — to sheds, garages, outbuildings, storage units and similar buildings — have increased to 71 incidents from 60 a year ago, a rise of 18.3 per cent, Police Chief Rick Bourassa said during the Oct. 19 Board of Police Commissioners’ meeting.
With thefts over $5,000, Bourassa argued that there hasn’t necessarily been an increase in the number of items stolen, but instead, inflation has pushed up the value of those items.
“I’m going to respectfully disagree with the chief on one comment,” chuckled Commissioner Doug Blanc.
With the theft over $5,000 category, he understood that the price of items had increased. However, looking at the data, year-to-date, the number of incidents had increased to 27 from 15.
“I don’t believe it’s all simply because of the price of the articles,” Blanc added. “I think a lot of it is there’s more theft out there.”
Bourassa acknowledged that Blanc was correct and that he had overstated the issue, agreeing that while inflation is partly the cause, there are more thefts of high-priced items.
Other criminal offences
Data for other crimes committed this year versus last year show:
- Impaired driving: 77 / 95
- Failing to comply with court orders: 303 / 704
- Threats: 42 / 64
- Domestic disputes: 49 / 71
- Provincial liquor infractions: 120 / 122
- Vehicle collisions over $1,000: 141 / 202
- Summary offence tickets: 1,617 / 1,063; a 52.1-per-cent increase
Summary offence tickets have increased because of officers’ regular traffic enforcement initiatives, where they’re dealing with more people, said Bourassa. Members usually resolve traffic issues with warnings, education and tickets.
Drugs
Data for drug crimes committed this year versus last year show:
- Cocaine: 6 / 5
- Marijuana: 5 / 6
- Methamphetamines: 3 / 8
- Other CDSA drugs: 22 / 8, an increase of 175 per cent
- Total: 36 / 27, an increase of 33 per cent
Drug offences have increased because officers have engaged in more enforcement, said Bourassa. Members also come across these drugs when investigating other offences or when they conclude projects by seizing products and charging people.
With CDSA drugs, fentanyl is the biggest culprit and the most prevalent opioid in the community, he continued. The agency works with its partners provincially and nationally on this issue because this illicit substance is everywhere and kills indiscriminately.
“We do what we can to take them off the street and we work with our partners when we can as they try to reduce the demand … ,” Bourassa said. “But it’s challenging and something that’s been around for a long, long time.”
Calls for service
Year-to-date (YTD), police have responded to 14,880 calls for service, compared to 14,359 YTD in 2022 and 12,066 YTD in 2021. This is a year-over-year increase of 3.6 per cent.
The next police board meeting is Thursday, Nov. 9.
