MOOSE JAW — The Moose Jaw Police Service has recorded fewer incidents of crimes against people and property this year compared to last year, but it has received 11 more reports about sexual assault.
The agency presented the most recent crime statistics during the Board of Police Commissioners’ November meeting, with the data showing that there were 51 reported sexual assaults between Jan. 1 and Oct. 31 of this year compared to 40 incidents during the same period last year — an increase of 27.5 per cent.
Meanwhile, all other assaults — common, with a weapon, aggravated and against police — together declined 10.8 per cent year-over-year, with 305 incidents recorded year-to-date (YTD) versus 342 YTD last year.
Police Chief Rick Bourassa pointed out that these 11 extra incidents of sexual assaults are occurrences that residents have reported to police, while the agency knows that this is one of the most under-reported categories, not just in Moose Jaw, but across Canada and throughout the world.
“So we can’t speak to whether there are more cases or whether more people are reporting,” he said.
While the chief couldn’t say why there were more reported cases of sexual assault, he noted that the police service has been working closely with the Regina Sexual Assault Centre, which may be encouraging some people to come forward to report who otherwise wouldn’t.
“The fact that there are more reports tells us that … it’s an issue that’s (still) ongoing,” Bourassa added. “But if people are reporting, then at least we can start to become part of the (solution) to that and make sure people are (receiving) the proper support.”
Crimes against the person
Year-to-date data for crimes against people for 2024 versus 2023 show:
- Homicide: 0 / 0
- Attempted murder: 2 / 0
- Robbery: 10 / 8
- Total: 478 / 484; a decrease of 1.2 per cent
This decrease is “heartening” to see, even if it’s just a slight dip, while the police will work to continue reducing that even further, said Bourassa. One way it’s addressing this situation is by working with the area RCMP on a crime reduction team.
“Some of those (offences) are very challenging because a lot of it happens within people’s social networks and it’s really hard for us to be preventative on that,” he added.
Crimes against property
Year-to-date data for crimes against property for 2024 versus 2023 show:
- Break-ins (business, residence, other): 176 / 215
- Motor vehicle thefts: 48 / 107
- Theft over $5,000: 14 / 32
- Theft under $5,000: 679 / 956
- Arson: 0 / 1
- Mischief under $5,000: 213 / 302
- Total: 1,471 / 1,959; a decrease of 24.9 per cent
The police service is “really happy” to see a decrease in this area, and while there are many factors that influenced this decline, one reason is because police have been more visible in the community, said Bourassa. Moreover, he believes an increase in staffing has also contributed to the decrease.
“Whether or not that’s a cause-and-effect, the experts still can’t say for sure, but we certainly see those two things coinciding,” he added.
Other data
Other year-to-date data for 2024 versus 2023 show:
- Impaired driving: 76 / 85
- Failing to comply with court orders: 743 / 377
- Threats: 16 / 51
- Domestic dispute: 41 / 54
- Provincial liquor infractions: 118 / 140
- Vehicles incidents over $1,000: 222 / 182; an increase of 22 per cent
- Drugs (cocaine, marijuana, meth, other): 20 / 38
- Calls for service: 17,433 / 16,760; an increase of four per cent
The next police board meeting is in early December.
