Police said no major changes were seen in criminal activities last month, except for a rise in theft under $5,000.
In the detachment’s summer update for Fort St John’s city council, the RCMP said there have been changes in trends surrounding property crimes, but the rest of the data was relatively stable.
Theft under $5,000 was the only crime specifically named by the Mounties as a cause for concern. Police said they received 27 reports in July, this was up ten cases compared to the month prior.
This crime is committed when someone tries to steal property – a person’s act is considered criminal as soon as the property is picked up or moved with malicious intent, regardless of if violence or force is used. It is considered a hybrid offence, meaning depending on the severity of the circumstances, the alleged thief can be charged with an indictable or summary offence. If they are charged with the former, more serious, option they can spend up to two years behind bars.
Reports of the other two crimes officers previously were keeping an eye on, thefts from vehicles and shoplifting, both decreased, with 11 reports of each crime. This was down from 36 incidents of theft from vehicles and 20 shoplifting reports in June.
Beyond these property crimes, the RCMP said, “there were no other significant changes in the other commonly reported on statistics” in their letter to council.
Earlier in July, the RCMP sent out several wanted persons reports within the span of two days, but according to the force’s media constable, this was not an indication of an increase in criminal activity.
