OLDS — The number of domestic violence investigations launched by Olds RCMP in Bowden, Olds and the surrounding area – and charges stemming from those investigations – has steadily risen since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
According to statistics provided by Olds RCMP Cpl. Courtney Harding, in 2019, 89 domestic violence/conflict investigations were reported to police. Charges were laid in 24 of those incidents.
In 2020, 137 domestic violence/conflict investigations were reported to police with 28 investigations resulting in charges.
Last year, 141 domestic violence/conflict investigations were reported. Charges were laid in 37 of those cases.
“From these numbers, I can see an increase in not only calls for service throughout COVID pandemic, but an increase in the seriousness of domestic violence investigations that ultimately resulted in charges being laid by police,” Harding wrote in an email.
She noted that domestic conflict complaints can include custody-related disputes, property-related disputes, verbal disputes and other general concerns where “violence” such as physical harm or altercations may not have actually occurred.
