Theft from vehicles increased by 90 per cent in 2018, said Insp. Jeff Pelley, Officer in Charge of the Williams Lake RCMP.
During a report to city council at its committee of the whole meeting Tuesday, Jan. 22, Pelley said in 2018 there were 192 theft from vehicle offences compared to 101 offences in 2017.
Read more: Theft from vehicles spike in Williams Lake
Theft of vehicles decreased 58 per cent with 39 in 2018 and 65 in 2017.
Break and enters to residences decreased 47 per cent with 37 offences in 2018 and 70 offences in 2017.
Break and enter to businesses slightly increased by two percent, with 50 offences in 2018 and 49 offences in 2017.
Mischief under $5,000 offences decreased seven per cent with 188 offences in 2018 and 203 offences in 2017.
Robberies increased by six per cent with 17 offences in 2018 and 16 offences in 2017.
Assault offences have decreased by seven per cent with 145 offences in 2018 and 156 offences in 2017.
Assault with a Weapon or Causing Bodily Harm offences decreased by 14 per cent with 30 offences in 2018 and 35 offences in 2017.
“We have 14 prolific offenders and violence is our highest crime priority there,” Pelley said. “We’ve concentrated on the prolific offenders associated to violence or the individuals that are up and coming.”
Coun. Scott Nelson asked if any prolific offenders were currently wearing GPS tracking anklets and was told “no.”
However, Pelley said it is something he is planning to propose for a particular offender, but it will be up to the courts
Drug possession offences have increased six per cent with 163 offences in 2018 and 154 offences in 2017.
Drug trafficking offences have increased 39 per cent with 25 offences in 2018 and 18 offences in 2017.
Read more: Seven arrested: ‘substantial seizure’ of cocaine and cash made by Williams Lake RCMP
Collisions have decreased by three per cent with 222 reported collisions in 2018 and 216 collisions reported in 2017.
Road check stops have increased 50 per cent with 81 road checks in 2018.
In total there were 7,911 calls for service for the City and 2,871 calls for service for the rural area in 2018.
Pelley said in November there were 54 curfew checks and two possible breach charges were being investigated.
During all of 2018, there were 655 curfew checks resulting in 21 individuals proactively breached on 52 allegations.
“We had 20 charges being approved to date, 10 charges not being approved, one found not guilty, six convicted and others currently pending,” Pelley said.
Pelley told council funding for the Cariboo Chilcotin Crime Reduction Unit runs out on March 31, 2019 and he has submitted a business case to the province for the funding to be extended.
“I was told they will be making a decision the last day of January and first day of February,” Pelley said.
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