Crime rates in Mission have dropped in the first quarter of 2014, compared to the same time period last year.
Mission RCMP Insp. Richard Konarski presented the first quarterly report on policing to Mission council Monday night.
According to the report, violent crimes in Mission have decreased by almost one per cent. Numbers also fell for property crime (almost 11 per cent), domestic violence (29 per cent), calls for service (three per cent), and traffic safety.
Traffic safety is broken down into four categories: impaired (38 per cent decrease), intersection infractions (57 per cent decrease), seatbelt infractions (26 per cent decrease), speed related infractions (two per cent decrease), and use of electronic device (five per cent decrease).
While overall property crime dropped almost 11 per cent, break and enters (not including residential, businesses or vehicles) and vehicle theft rose by 56 per cent and 27 per cent respectively.
The increase in break-ins mostly relate to attacks on community mailboxes, said Konarski. “We’re working with the Lower Mainland District (RCMP) to deal with it.”
Other priorities for police this year are combating auto theft, and maintaining a presence downtown and in the Mission Interpretive Forest.