CARSTAIRS - Didsbury RCMP Staff Sgt. Chad Fournier provided an update on crime in town to Carstairs town council recently.
The review came during a recent regularly scheduled council meeting, held in person and by Zoom.
Carstairs and surrounding community is part of the Didsbury detachment area.
Appearing as a delegation before council, Fournier presented statistics for 2020 and for 2021 to date.
There were a total of 70 persons crimes reported in the town in 2020, including three sexual assaults, three other sexual offences, 24 assaults, one extortion, 15 criminal harassments and 23 uttering threats.
There were 130 property crimes reported, including 14 break and enters, 14 theft of motor vehicle, one theft over $5,000, 30 thefts under $5,000, four possession of stolen goods, 19 frauds, one arson and 47 mischief to property.
There were 13 motor vehicle collisions, including eight reportable property damage incidents.
As well, police responded to 18 false alarms, 12 false or abandoned 911 calls, 63 suspicious person-vehicle-property calls, 34 mental health calls and seven reported missing person calls.
Regarding the mental health calls, Founier said, “A lot of that had to do with COVID” and “There has been a lot of pressure on families” because of the pandemic.
Fournier also gave updates on crimes and incidents so far in 2021.
There have been 14 person crimes reported, including six assaults, five criminal harassment and two uttering threats.
There have been 20 property crimes reported, including six theft under $5,000, four frauds, four mischief damage to property, and two theft of motor vehicle. There have also been five vehicle collisions so far in 2021.
As far as staffing at the Didsbury RCMP detachment, two constables are off duty (for surgery and parental leave), and one constable is on light duty.
Mayor Lance Colby commended members of the local RCMP detachment for their efforts.
“We appreciate what you do,” he said.
Council accepted Fournier’s report as information.
