The Estevan Police Service (EPS) continues to see a significant decrease in the number of infractions and calls for service this year.
According to March’s crime statistics released at the April 16 meeting of the Estevan board of police commissioners, EPS members had 584 calls for service in March, bringing the total for the year to 1,608 calls.
In March 2016, they had 731 calls, and a total of 1,945 calls for the first three months of the year.
The decrease for the year is 337 calls, or 21 per cent.
Two categories have seen an increase this year. Crimes against people increased from six to nine in March, and 24 to 28 for the first three months. Last month there were three sexual crimes and six assaults.
“Assaults are up a little bit, but not extensively, so overall we’re seeing about a 14 per cent difference for crimes against persons versus this time last year,” said police Chief Paul Ladouceur. “It’s something to keep an eye on, but not to panic about.”
Criminal Code traffic violations have gone up as well, from 33 in the first three months of last year to 39 so far this year. There were 12 last month compared with 11 in March 2016. All 12 of last month’s violations were for impaired driving.
Crimes against property are down slightly from 71 last year to 64 this year. The March numbers declined from 31 in 2016 to 27 this year. Fifteen of the 27 violations last month were for theft under $5,000.
“We’re seeing a decline in business break-and-enters,” said Ladouceur. “Residential break-and-enters are at status quo (levels).”
Controlled Drug and Substances Act charges have seen a big decrease. There have been 28 so far this year, compared to 71 in the first three months of 2016. Eight violations came last month, compared with 28 in March of last year.
Ladouceur believes the decrease is due to the efforts of EPS members.
Special Const. Michelle Pickering, who is the city’s bylaw enforcement officer, submitted her report for March. Pickering handled 155 occurrences last month, including 16 animal calls, 36 parking violations, 17 unkempt property inspections, 19 snow removal notices or fines, and 26 taxi bylaw inspections.
So far this year, Pickering has handled 460 calls and violations. Parking violations have accounted for the largest share of activity with 105 infractions, followed by snow removal notices and fines at 87.
In the first three months of last year, Pickering handled 378 occurrences.
