By Sheldon Spackman

Making Progress

Crime rates down in Sylvan Lake to start 2021

Jun 22, 2021 | 11:05 AM

Calls for the previous four years.

According to the detachment’s latest quarterly report, there were 1,744 calls for service in the first three months of this year. That’s up from 1,317 during the first quarter of last year, 1,403 in 2019, 1,393 in 2018, and 708 in 2017.

Total criminal code violations from January 1 to March 31 were 325, down from 396 in the first quarter of last year, 359 in 2019, 431 in 2018, and 373 in 2017.

Persons crimes totalled 68 in the first three months of this year, down from 104 during the same time last year and 79 in 2019, 80 in 2018, and 80 in 2017.

The first quarter stats show there were no robberies reported in Sylvan Lake from January to the end of March, three in the first three months of last year, zero in 2019, one in 2018, and six in 2017.

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Assaults numbered 41 -lower than the 68 reported in the first quarter of 2020, 44 in 2019, 47 in 2018, and 45 in 2017.

Total property crimes were also lower in Sylvan Lake during the first three months of this year, coming in at 174. That compares with 237 during the first quarter of 2020, 223 in 2019, 307 in 2018, and 228 in 2017.

Break and enters numbered 11 from January to the end of March. That compares with 22 in 2020, 27 in 2019, 20 in 2018, and 11 in 2017.

There were 13 motor vehicle thefts in Sylvan Lake during the first three months of this year. A number much lower than 35 in the first quarter of 2020, 37 in 2019, 29 in 2018, and 27 in 2017.

Reports of theft under $5,000, was 61 from January to the end of March. That compares with 78 in 2020, 62 in 2019, 126 in 2018, and 86 in 2017.

In terms of the detachment’s Annual Policing Plan, ending March 31, 2021, it’s number one focus area over the past 12 months was community engagement.

Sylvan Lake RCMP note increased proactive patrols in that respect (80), and two town hall presentations conducted in October and November, 2020.

Crime reduction was the detachment’s second area of focus over the past year, in efforts to prevent and reduce the threat and impact of serious and organized crime.

Sylvan Mounties highlight a seven per cent property crime reduction of theft under $5,000 in the community over the past year (100 occurrences), and a 26 per cent increase in the clearance rate, of two occurrences.

This further entails a Lighthouse update of 201 checks on targeted people and addresses, including 10 identified people on parole and/or probation. Four charges were laid as a result, and two search warrants executed.

The detachment’s third area of focus over the past 12 months was community safety.

Total provincial traffic enforcement saw a decrease of 56 per cent from 2020, with total criminal code traffic offences seeing a decrease of nine per cent from 2020. Total motor vehicle collisions remained on par with 2020.

Focus areas for Sylvan Lake’s 2021-2022 Annual Policing Plan include crime reduction, enhanced road safety, and community relations.