MOOSEJAWTODAY.COM — The number of assaults against police this year has increased 110 per cent over 2022, which is an indication of less respect and civility within wider society, the police chief says.
There were 21 incidents of assault against officers as of Oct. 31, compared to 10 during the same period last year and 11 in 2021, recent crime data from the Moose Jaw Police Service shows.
These incidents are part of a broader trend of increased crimes against people, with data showing that from Jan. 1 to Oct. 31, there were 468 attacks on individuals, compared to 392 during the same period last year and in 2021. This represents a year-over-year jump of 76 incidents or 19.4 per cent.
Year-to-date data for 2023, 2022 and 2021 show:
- Homicide: 0 / 1 / 0
- Attempted murder: 4 / 2 / 2; 100-per-cent increase
- Assaults (sexual, common, with a weapon/cause bodily harm, aggravated and against police): 335 / 276 / 261; 21.4-per-cent increase
- Robbery: 8 / 8 / 5
Police services everywhere are seeing an increase in people-related crimes, which is due to less civility, less respect and more people using violence — including with weapons — to solve conflicts than in the past, Police Chief Rick Bourassa said during the recent Board of Police Commissioners’ meeting.
“We continue to work on getting at that (violence) and dealing with that, however, (it’s) very difficult to prevent,” he stated. “Many of these things happen in social networks.”
The 110-per-cent increase in assaults against police is because people have less respect for officers and because members are facing more situations involving violence, Bourassa added. But because members are well-trained and well-equipped, that has contributed to no serious injuries among officers.
Crimes against property
Year-to-date data for crimes against property for 2023, 2022 and 2021 show:
- Break-ins (business, residence, other): 209 / 254 / 273
- Theft of motor vehicles: 41 / 52 / 49
- Theft over $5,000: 31 / 17 / 15; an increase of 82.4 per cent
- Theft under $5,000: 915 / 764 / 611; an increase of 19.8 per cent
- Arson: 1 / 10 / 28
- Mischief under $5,000: 279 / 304 / 341
- Total: 1,865 / 1,820 / 1,711; an increase of two per cent
The police service is thrilled that break-ins to businesses and residences have declined — 28.4 per cent and 31.5 per cent, respectively — but is concerned that break-ins to other storage-type buildings have increased by 20.6 per cent, said Bourassa. However, police have investigated several such incidents and have laid charges.
Meanwhile, thefts of construction equipment and vehicles comprise most items in the theft under $5,000 category.
Other crimes and incidents
Year-to-date data for other crimes and incidents for 2023, 2022 and 2021 show:
- Impaired driving: 86 / 107 / 114
- Failing to comply with court orders: 369 / 738 / 693
- Threats: 50 / 69 / 48
- Domestic disputes: 53 / 86 / 149
- Provincial liquor infractions: 136 / 133 / 153
- Vehicle collisions over $1,000: 178 / 225 / 173
- Summary offence traffic tickets: 1,824 / 1,170 / 1,504; an increase of 55.9 per cent
With drugs, the data show:
- Cocaine: 7 / 7 / 6
- Marijuana: 6 / 6 / 12
- Methamphetamine: 3 / 8 / 24
- Other CDSA drugs: 22 / 6 / 17; an increase of 266.7 per cent
- Total: 38 / 27 / 59; an increase of 40.7 per cent
“We have some pretty significant increases in charges laid (with drug busts). The vast majority of those are enforcement driven (and) they’re investigation driven … ,” said Bourassa, noting it takes time for officers to complete the work before making arrests. “So, we see these things come in clusters.”
The organization works to disrupt the incoming supply of drugs and pursues the people moving those substances, he continued. It also works with social agencies to reduce the demand for drugs.
The data also showed that year-to-date, the MJPS has responded to 16,760 calls for service versus 16,100 calls during the same period last year. This represents a 4.1-per-cent increase.
“We expect to be over 20,000 calls this year. It’s busy and it doesn’t show any signs of being less busy,” said Bourassa.
The next police board meeting is Thursday, Dec. 14.
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