Crime stats in Olds and area during the first four months of this year are mixed, according to Staff Sgt. Jim MacDonald, the commanding officer of Olds RCMP.
MacDonald says they've had the greatest success in rural Olds, where he says property crime fell by 27 per cent compared to January through April last year.
"But it is still too early to say that it's a continuing trend," MacDonald warns.
He says in Olds, total property crime is higher than it was during the first four months of 2018.
"This is due to the higher than average number of vehicles being stolen as well as more frauds being reported," MacDonald says.
From May 1 to last week in Olds, there had been four stolen vehicles, seven thefts from vehicles, two frauds, four reported incidents of mischief and one additional theft complaint.
During that same period in rural Olds, RCMP had investigated two break and enters, five thefts, one stolen vehicle and six reports of mischief (interfering with or damaging someone's property).
"These numbers are a little lower than we typically see," MacDonald says. However, he notes that RCMP usually break down their statistics on a month-to-month or annual basis rather than a weekly basis.
"In April of this year we had a total of 45 reported property related offences in the town of Olds which is about the same as this period last year and is the same as the average for April over the last five years," MacDonald says. "Thefts and break and enters were down, but frauds and property damage were up slightly."
He says in rural Olds last month, there were 35 reported property-related offences which is down from the 41 reported during April last year.
MacDonald says fraud investigations were up slightly for April compared to last year with eight reported in Olds and one in the rural area.
"Many reported frauds here are related to online or telephone scams," he says.
MacDonald says the drug trade and a poor economy still seem to be the driving factors behind crime in Olds and area.
"There are several factors that can contribute to increased crime levels and trends," MacDonald says. "The economy is likely one factor, as the loss of jobs and income may lead to criminality for some people.
"Drug addiction is probably the most significant factor in driving up property crime as drug abusers need money to support their addictions and pay their drug debts," he adds. "Although Olds doesn't have much of a drug problem, the community does become victimized by transient criminals who target and pass through this area to commit crimes."
MacDonald says crime stats can soar if just one or two criminals move into Olds and area.
"Some people just don't want to make an honest living and have the satisfaction of earning their belongings like the rest of us," he says.
"I think people who have been victims of crime may sometimes feel that crime levels are higher than they actually are, as they have been personally affected by one or more incidents. That's both fair and normal," MacDonald says.
"However, people aren't wrong about noticing an increase in property crime compared to previous years. Although we've seen the most significant property crime increases in the rural areas over the last year, the Town of Olds has not been immune to the same pattern.
"Between 2016 and 2017 we saw a 25 per cent increase in property crime."
He says that hike was largely attributed to an increase in residential and business break and enters, as well as a high number of vehicle thefts.
MacDonald says in 2017, 100 vehicles were stolen from town, double the number stolen in 2016.
On the other hand, during 2017, the Olds RCMP officers charged 40 per cent more adults with crimes than they had the year before.
