Service call statistics from Powell River RCMP for 2010 show relatively stable crime levels in the region with only minimal shifts in certain crime categories.
In total Powell River RCMP responded to 6,295 calls in 2010, which is down from the 6,567 calls in 2009, equaling a four-per-cent decrease. The numbers provided by the RCMP detail the number of calls for service and not the number of charges.
Many categories of calls have decreased since 2009. Car thefts are down 31 per cent, from 81 calls to 56 in 2010, and drug possession is down 32 per cent, from 98 to 67 in 2010. The number of calls dealing with residents causing a disturbance went down 22 per cent, from 252 calls in 2009 to 197 in 2010. Drug trafficking calls went down by 13 per cent, from 83 calls in 2009 to 73 in 2010.
A few categories have seen increases over the two years. There were 285 calls for theft under $5,000 in 2010, up 11 per cent from 253 in 2009. Sex offences rose 27 per cent from 33 in 2009 to 45 in 2010.
Constable Chris Bakker explained that even though in some categories there has been a large percentage jump from 2009 to 2010 that often does not reflect a large change in call volumes, as the numbers may be too small to be significant. For instance even though calls for break and entry into businesses went up nine per cent in 2010, this actually only reflects two more calls in 2010 (22) than 2009 (20). This works the other way as well as a focus from the RCMP on a particular category of crime can drive up the number of calls or charges.
“If looking at the long-term statistics you will find that the crime and call volumes in Powell River are extremely stable,” said Bakker. “There are certain valleys or peaks...but overall crime trends remain stable.”
Bakker also explained that changes in the number of crimes in certain categories can sometimes be linked to certain individual offenders. Often the amount of activity in a particular crime category goes up or down depending on whether certain individuals are in the community or incarcerated. Enforcement initiatives can also affect the numbers, such as when RCMP are focusing on a particular issue. Bakker used the example of how a focus on traffic safety can result in fewer collisions for the year.
Harsher penalties for drunk driving were introduced in September 2010. Both charges for drunk driving and penalties for blowing within the “warn” range (0.05 to 0.08 blood alcohol content) were down in 2010. In 2010, 56 charges were handed down for impaired driving, compared to 68 in 2009. Immediate Roadside Prohibitions (IRPs) replaced 24-hour roadside suspensions as the penalty for drivers who blow within the warn range. In 2010, 82 IRPs or 24-hour suspensions were issued, versus 128 24-hour suspensions issued in 2009.
Bakker said that statistics can influence policy but that for now the focus of the RCMP remains the same, namely on youth, traffic, crime reduction and aboriginal safety. These initiatives fall in line with the RCMP’s overall focus nationally.
