While the number of calls for service is seeing a downward trend for the Kitimat RCMP — 467 for August — they’re still seeing high levels of cases, putting them beyond 2012 levels for some.
The August statistics for crime files was presented to Kitimat Council by staff sergeant Phil Harrison on September 23.
Sexual assaults haven’t yet exceeded 2012’s level of 12 files, but it’s close at 10 files for the year, three in August.
There was no aggravated assault for the month, but so far the total is three for 2013, compared to only one in 2012.
Assault with a weapon or assault causing bodily harm files were at two for the month, bringing 2013’s total to 19, five short of 2012’s 24 files.
Common assault are notably far greater this year than last. There were 35 files in August, making it 141 files for the year. In 2012 there were only 96.
Harrison noted that the assaults are not happening in the general community and mostly take place at bars and pubs.
He said that with a nearly full complement of officers working or expected to begin work shortly, he hopes to begin ‘bar walks’ again.
There were two robberies in August, the same total as all of 2012. This year’s total is at five. (Robberies are stealing from someone using violence or a threat of violence.)
August saw seven threats against persons, bringing the year total to 64.
Business break and enters have doubled over 2012, with August’s five files adding to 16 for the year.
Residential break and enters are similarly increased over last year but so far not by as wide a margin. So far we’ve seen 37, including three in August, while there was 30 in 2012.
There have been 31 vehicle thefts for the year, after three files in August, which is above the 14 in 2012.
Shoplifting however is quite low, only three cases for the year, one in August, against 13 in 2012.
Kitimat has almost seen equal numbers of files for causing a disturbance, with 22 in August meaning 160 for the year. Five more files and we’ll hit 2012’s total.
On drug offences, it was a relatively quiet month in August, with two files for possession of cocaine, and one for possession of marijuana. So far there’s been 18 possession of marijuana files in 2013 (28 in 2012) and six cocaine possessions total (eight in 2012).
There was one trafficking of cocaine file opened in the month. There’s been six for the year, against four in 2012.
