The Estevan board of police commissioners went over the latest crime statistics at their meeting Friday.
Crimes against the person were down 21 per cent on a year to date basis with just 77 cases as opposed to 97 in 2018.
The total number of crimes against property was down 11 per cent with 210 registered cases in 2019, and 235 cases in 2018. However, there were 84 mischiefs/willful damage violations in 2019 and only 64 last year.
At the same time thefts under $5,000 went down from 127 cases in 2018 to only 89 cases in 2019. There were fewer thefts over $5,000 as well, with only three this year and 10 by this time last year.
Controlled Drug and Substances Act violations saw a decline of 57 per cent with 26 cases registered from the beginning of this year as opposed to 61 cases last year. There were no Cannabis Act violations in August 2019. The Criminal Code traffic violations went up 10 per cent on a year to date basis with 106 cases in 2019 as opposed to 96 over the same period of time in 2018.
The total calls for service numbers are up by nine per cent, with 5,873 calls coming this year and 5,389 in 2018. Estevan Police Service Chief Paul Ladouceur noted that for the second month in a row they see an increase in calls with some of them being about property crimes, mischiefs and also a number of methamphetamine-related.
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The new extension for the EPS station building was also discussed during the police board meeting. The project is moving forward. The soil testing around the proposed addition is done, and the focus now is on the architect plans, which are done by an architectural firm out of Regina.
“They are working with us based on the initial needs assessment,” said Ladouceur. “The needs assessment was done by a third party.”
The chief added that if anybody has questions or concerns about the planned addition, they could always phone the station and arrange a tour to see the existing conditions.
“I want a professional building for a professional service that is suitable for the type of work we do,” said Ladouceur.
The addition will provide the needed office space for EPS members.
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The bylaw enforcement officer’s report was also discussed during the police board meeting. The animal related calls went up significantly from 114 calls last year to 235 calls this year. Ladouceur pointed out that most of this calls were about stray cats, which are gradually turning into a serious problem in Estevan.
“Cats, cats and more cats. We are really seeing an increase in stray and feral cats. We’ve been working with the city to come up with some kind of viable solution,” said Ladouceur, noting that the solution hasn’t been found yet.
Ladouceur used the opportunity to remind people that to keep the animal population under control it’s is very important to spay and neuter their animals.
There were also 217 unkempt property inspections done in 2019 as opposed to 166 in 2018.
“These are not 217 charges laid, but 217 investigations and notices served in regards to unkempt properties. This became an issue and we were directed by the city to start addressing the unkempt properties and issuing more notices,” said Ladouceur.
The board also reminded the public to ensure that their snow removal equipment is operational.
“Snow is coming, and please keep your sidewalks clean. If you will not, there will be warnings and then tickets,” said police board member Lyle Yanish.
Mayor Roy Ludwig also asked the public to remember to switch to winter tires in a timely manner.
