The RCMP presented 2024 crime statistics to the Fort St John city council and, generally, trends stayed the same, though Staff Sgt. Jamie Moffat said property crimes are of ongoing concern.
Property crimes include shoplifting, breaking and entering, and theft. Specifically, shoplifting saw an egregious increase, with over 100 new cases in 2024 when compared to the previous year.
“It’s a busy detachment. The numbers dictate that,” said Fort St John city councillor Tony Zabinsky.
The RCMP received a second vehicle for their car 60 program with Northern Health. Car 60 responds to, and de-escalates, mental health crisis calls. The response team includes a psychiatric nurse and a plainclothes officer — the team provides crisis intervention.
Police responded to 341 Mental Health Act-related calls, similar to previous years – Moffat noted this number includes responding to warrants from hospitals for patients who were not permitted to leave.
For other calls related to the Mental Health Act, it is up to officers to decide if they want to exercise their authority to admit the person to the hospital.
Public disturbances, including reports of public intoxication and loss of enjoyment of property, saw a steep decline from 984 cases in 2023 to 683 in 2024.
“There is certainly no hotspot for (crime) that jumps out in my mind,” said Staff Sgt. Scott Watson.
Fort St John’s Mounties service the city and the rural areas surrounding it, including Charlie Lake and Grand Haven. Some of the numbers presented to the council were divided up between municipal and rural call.
Moffat said they do not foresee any major upticks in crime this year, though there have been more reports of crimes of opportunity – such as thefts from vehicles and shoplifting.
