The Innisfail RCMP's quarterly report to town council shows that crime in the town and outlying areas has jumped just over 26 per cent over last year.
Staff Sgt. Chris Matechuk, the commanding officer for the Innisfail RCMP detachment, made a presentation to Innisfail town council on Aug. 26.
His report showed the total number of Criminal Code offences reported to Innisfail RCMP from January to July of this year was 511, compared to 405 in 2012.
For the month of July there was a total of 76 Criminal Code offences reported to RCMP, compared to 58 in July of 2012.
“It has been a busy spring and summer,” Matechuk told council. He said there has been an increase in the number of disturbing the peace incidents, assaults, break and enters and spousal abuse cases. Matechuk added that on a “positive note” that clearance rates have also increased five per cent.
“I checked stats from our neighbouring detachments and everybody seems to be experiencing increases this year: Rocky, Sylvan and Blackfalds. All our increases are similar to what our neighbours are doing,” said Matechuk. “On the plus side here we haven't seen any violent crimes in Innisfail this year. All the assaults are more minor in nature.
“There haven't been any large break and enters but they are a concern and we kind of believe they are more attributed to drugs and drug activity,” added Matechuk. “The big thing is more education in locking your property, security and keeping your eye on your neighbourhood.”
He also told council members that while the number of cases of spousal abuse has increased significantly it is because the RCMP has been directed to be more compliant and vigilant with provincial recommendations on the issue.
“We have to include all property related disputes as family violence,” said Matechuk. “Previously if somebody had a dispute over a trailer or a barbecue or a single item we weren't classifying that as domestic violence, but now if a couple has no violence but a dispute over a property item, it's included in family violence.”
He also told council that while there are no manpower concerns, staff has experienced a high volume of criminal record and fingerprinting requests.
Matechuk said the staff this year has processed 539 criminal record checks as opposed to 303 in 2012 while fingerprints checks have increased from 13 last year to 56 in 2013. He said each of these requests take civilian staff about 30 minutes to process.
“The workload for them has increased as well,” said Matechuk, adding the detachment's police officers have been so busy with Criminal Code investigations that ticket enforcement in the town and area has been lower. “I would like to see more enforcement in that area.”
