OLDS — It was a mixed bag when it comes to crime during the 2021-22 Christmas/New Year’s holidays in Olds, according to RCMP statistics.
During that period (which runs from Dec. 15-Jan. 2), total overall occurrences stood at 196, up from 161 the previous season.
Five persons crimes (such as violence, threats or harassment) were reported this season. None were reported the previous season.
Property crimes remained static at 13 each season.
Impaired driving/provincial sanctions also remained steady at three.
Twelve collisions were reported, half the figure reported during the 2020-21 Christmas/New Year’s season.
However, the number of traffic tickets soared to 82 from 56.
Staff Sgt. Warren Wright, the commanding officer of Olds RCMP, was asked if he had any explanation for the mixed bag of statistics.
“I recognize that two years of COVID-19 (fifth wave) and extreme cold weather this season may have kept more people home and inside than previous years,” he wrote in an email. “This in-turn may have contributed to the statistical variance we are seeing.”
