Okotoks saw a decrease in crime during the first quarter of 2021.
Staff Sgt. Zane Semaniuk, Okotoks RCMP detachment commander, provided a report on the first three months of the year at council’s May 25 meeting, noting most call numbers had decreased from the fourth quarter of 2020, and from the same time period last year.
“This is positive for our community and reinforces the promotion of enhanced visibility and community engagement,” said Semaniuk.
The total number of assault calls dropped by 14 from the fourth quarter of 2020, he said.
There was also a 15 per cent decrease in the number of domestic violence calls for service in comparison to the first quarter, and a slight decrease from the fourth quarter, he said.
“The numbers in comparison to the fourth quarter of 2020 were down slightly, eight calls for service, going from 65 to 57,” said Semaniuk.
Compared to the same time period in 2020, the number of persons crimes decreased by 22 per cent, he said.
Calls about property crime also went down from the fourth quarter of 2020, when 150 service calls were logged, to 117 in the first three months of 2021, he said.
“Property crime calls for service in the first quarter were down 62 per cent on the five-year average,” said Semaniuk.
While the total criminal code calls for service in the first quarter of 2021 were down 35 per cent compared to 2020, the number of provincial statute calls rose by 20 per cent, he said.
“The Mental Health Act and Provincial health act calls for service increased our provincial statute numbers,” said Semaniuk.
The Okotoks detachment was affected by a positive case of COVID-19 among one of its general duty members, which sent one general duty team into isolation as close contacts, he said.
“One regular member affected continues to recover at home and the remainders that were close contacts are all back at work,” said Semaniuk.
Over the course of 2020-2021, the Okotoks RCMP met its priority objectives according to the Annual Performance Plan set last spring, he said.
“We continue to build on positive outcomes and we progress into 20201 by again focusing on enhancing visibility, enhancing public confidence and engagement, and crime reduction within our community,” said Semaniuk.
The report on crime statistics for the second quarter is expected in July.
