In the first quarter (Q1) of 2021 the Terrace RCMP detachment investigated a total of 2,699 files within Terrace and rural areas between Jan 1 to Mar. 31.
In Terrace, the RCMP investigated 1,844 cases compared to 2,219 during the same period in 2020 indicating a 13 per cent decrease.
The rural files were down by 9.8 per cent with 762 files compared to 845 from the previous year. The detachment said that it generated lesser files due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The Terrace police also submitted 133 reports, recommending charges, to the Crown Counsel, according to the Q1 report presented by Inspector Jayson Lucash to the city’s council on May 10.
The Terrace detachment dealt with 118 incidences of assault, threats & homicide. Property offences such as damage and theft decreased from 254 in 2020 to 183 in Q1.
There were 17 traffic violations and 14 drug related offences (a slight increase from nine in 2020). The police activity for municipal bylaw offences significantly dropped from 107 cases to 36 in Q1.
Miscellaneous offences and assists to the general public sharply increased from 499 last year to 776 in Q1 (out of which 63 calls were false alarms).
The report also stated that the Online Crime Reporting platform which was first implemented in 2020 by the Terrace Detachment continued to increase in popularity as more cases were being reported online by the public. In the first quarter of this year, 74 cases were reported online – which exceeded the entire 2020 total.
One of the policing priorities identified in the Q1 report for 2021, is to reduce substance abuse and partner with service agencies to address mental health and addiction issues. Other priorities include improving road safety and reducing family violence .
The Terrace police said that it will prioritize crime reduction by targeting chronic and social offenders especially through its Crime Reduction Unit (CRU) which is mandated to identify and address statistical hot spots in the downtown area. The police said that it will liaise with service agencies to find solutions to recurring issues.
“Currently this unit ( CRU ) is focused on increasing our policing presence in the downtown area. This has included conducting foot patrols, enforcing the Liquor Control Act (LCLA), Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) and Cannabis Control and Licensing Act (CCLA) along with partnering with Bylaws,” said the police in the Q1 report.
The CRU executed 66 arrest warrants, submitted 16 reports to Crown counsel and conducted 48 curfew checks, according to the report.
To further address downtown area crime and promote public safety, a Terrace Situation Table was created with a grant funding from the Office of Crime Reduction and Gang Outreach.
The situation table enables front line service providers to collaboratively respond to community safety challenges – such as crime, substance abuse, homelessness. At the same time it also helps connect vulnerable individuals to the services they require to manage the risks present in their lives.
Two new homicide investigations were added to the list of the General Investigation Section in Q1
Terrace detachment’s Police Dog Section (PDS) responded to 15 incidents and two of these incidents led to individuals being arrest.
The detachment welcomed three new officers in Terrace at the beginning of the year – cpl. Bryan Krampl and constables Malik Gleason and Stefany Walker. Three more members are scheduled to be arriving in the second quarter. Six members are also scheduled to be transferred out of the detachment in the near future.
