Crime stats for Okotoks in the first quarter of 2020 have shown an overall positive trajectory, according to the RCMP.
Staff Sgt. Zane Semeniuk provided statistics to Town council at its May 25 meeting, which showed property crime had decreased by 19 per cent over the same quarter in 2019 – from 187 calls to 162 over the same period, while persons-related crime went up by four per cent.
“Persons crimes did remain down 33 per cent on the five-year average for the first quarter stats comparison,” said Semeniuk.
He said one of the most positive statistics is the increase in criminal code calls for service, which include failure to comply and breach of court order, weapon offences and disturbing the peace, which went up 38 per cent in 2020 over the first quarter of 2019. Most of the increase is attributed to more calls for disturbing the peace, failure to comply and breach of court order.
“Increased visibility with patrols and offender management checks also attributed to the higher statistics, as they include proactively-generated occurrences by our RCMP members,” said Semeniuk.
Similarly, police activities related to suspicious persons and vehicles increased by 14 per cent in the first quarter compared to last year, and he said that is evidence of community engagement, which strengthens community safety.
“To see higher-than-normal calls for suspicious persons and vehicles, that’s encouraging and shows how engaged people are,” said Semeniuk. “People need to continue to do that.
“We’re all the eyes and ears of our own community. If we keep doing that hopefully that can keep our property crime down and make our neighbourhoods even safer.”
Some statistics increased during COVID-19, including responses to domestic situations, he said. In addition, Okotoks RCMP responded to some calls labelled as “common police activities,” which in some instances were people in parks or otherwise not adhering to physical distancing measures or closure of public property and facilities.
Semeniuk also provided a brief overview of the 2019 annual performance plan, noting the Okotoks detachment had focused on three priorities: crime reduction, community engagement and employee wellness throughout last year.
“Overall I was pleased with our performance as a detachment,” he said. “We met or exceeded our goals in the areas of supporting employee wellness and engaging with the local community.”
He said the RCMP continues to work closely with Okotoks Municipal Enforcement and the Okotoks Fire Department to form a cohesive protective services department and develop service delivery strategies.
That relationship has been especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic, he said.
Mayor Bill Robertson thanked the Okotoks RCMP for helping place Okotoks on the list as one of the safest communities in all of Alberta.
“Certainly the RCMP are a huge part in that puzzle,” said Robertson. “There are a number of pieces in that puzzle, but you play a huge role and all of your efforts are appreciated sincerely.”
Krista Conrad, OkotoksToday.ca
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