By Erika Chorostil

Crime calls down, mental health calls up

Criminal activity down in Drayton Valley and Breton in 2020

Aug 21, 2020 | 1:21 PM

Brazeau County Council heard RCMP statistical comparisons at their meeting this week from Staff Sergeant Harpreet Dhaliwal, Detachment Commander of the Thorsby/Breton detachment, and from Staff Sergeant Erin Matthews, and Staff Sargent Malcolm Callihoo of the Drayton Valley detachment.

Both detachments announced that criminal activity has decreased this year compared to last year. In Drayton Valley, total Criminal Code offences fell to 298 between January and July, compared to 380 in the same period in 2019. Crimes against persons fell to 36 from 40, and property crimes fell to 208 from 303.

In Breton, total Criminal Code offences were 377 for the period from January to July, compared to 406 in the same period in 2019. Total property crimes fell to 295 from 321, and total crimes against persons fell to 43 from 47.

The sergeants noted that the COVID-19 pandemic may contribute to the decrease in crime, but mental health calls have increased.