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MOOSEJAWTODAY.COM — Total crimes against people and property saw year-over-year declines in April, but areas such as sexual assaults and failing to comply with court orders both rose during that period.

There were 162 incidents of crimes against the person last month versus 196 episodes in April 2023, a decrease of 17.3 per cent, according to recent data from the Moose Jaw Police Service. 

Furthermore, there were 538 incidents of crimes against property in April versus 684 offences during the same period last year, a decrease of 21.3 per cent. 

“Again, we’re not seeing any trends (because) it’s too early (in the year). These are snapshots in time,” Chief Rick Bourassa said during the May Board of Police Commissioners’ meeting. “But we’re happy to see that some of these incidents are … fewer … than last year and even the year before. So that’s encouraging.”

The chief clarified that the MJPS reviews a year’s worth of data to determine whether crime trends occur because the current declines could be anomalies. 

While criminal offences are down, the number of non-criminal service calls continues to increase, as there were 6,178 calls last month versus 5,976 in April 2023 for an increase of 3.4 per cent, he continued. 

“So, again, (we’re) a very busy police service,” Bourassa added. “And we’re seeing some movement in the right direction in the crime data.”

A commissioner inquired about the category of failing to comply with court orders, as data showed police handled 315 such incidents last month compared to 134 episodes in April 2023 — a year-over-year increase of 135.1 per cent — and 309 incidents in April 2022. 

When courts release offenders on bail, those people receive conditions they must follow, such as adhering to a curfew or staying away from a location, Bourassa said. Police check on those people regularly to ensure they are following their conditions.

“That’s one of the drivers of this. There are some other ones where they’re just not abiding by the orders, (such as) they’re not appearing at probation when they should … and we become aware of those,” he continued. 

The number of those offences has been large for months and continues to increase as officers investigate and lay more charges, the chief said. 

“That’s a number that’s been increasing — not just here, but also across the country … ,” Bourassa added. 

“I think it’s a social attitude (problem),” said Commissioner Nicole Swanson. 

During a media scrum afterward, reporters asked the chief about sexual assaults, as the data showed there were 67 incidents in April versus 19 last year for an increase of 47.4 per cent. 

“We investigate all of those. There are also a lot of supports here in Moose Jaw for people who have experienced the trauma of sexual assault,” Bourassa said.

The police service doesn’t know what is driving these increases aside from seeing more interpersonal violence, he continued. Yet, Victim Services’ personnel work closely with victims while officers investigate situations, follow leads and lay charges if necessary. 

“So, yeah, that’s not a comforting number. That number is troublesome … ,” Bourassa said. “We do know that the vast majority are in relationships where people know each other.”

Consent is always required in relationships because spouses or partners don’t have “carte blanche” to do whatever they want to their significant other, he added. Consent must happen before any sexual encounters occur. 

Crimes against people

Data for crimes against the person in April 2024 versus 2023 show:

•    Homicide: 0 / 0
•    Attempted murder: 1/ 1
•    Assaults (sexual, common, with a weapon, aggravated, against police): 117 / 142
•    Robbery: 4 / 2

Crimes against property

Data for crimes against property in April 2024 versus 2023 show:

•    Break-ins (business, residence, other): 84 / 88
•    Motor vehicle thefts: 21 / 14
•    Theft over $5,000: 6 / 14
•    Theft under $5,000: 228 / 318
•    Arson: 0 / 0
•    Mischief under $5,000: 84 / 92

Other crimes

Data for other crimes in April 2024 versus 2023 show:

•    Impaired driving: 30 / 33
•    Threats: 5 / 15
•    Domestic disputes: 20 / 19
•    Liquor infractions: 44 / 31
•    Vehicle collisions over $1,000: 104 / 69
•    Summary offence tickets: 765 / 680
•    Drugs (cocaine, marijuana, meth, other): 11 / 14

The next police board meeting is Thursday, June 13.