Police responded to 16 fewer calls last year than in 2018, data shows
The Moose Jaw Police Service responded to 15,626 calls for service last year, which represented only a 0.1-percent decrease from the number of calls to which it responded two years ago.
“The calls for service have been fairly consistent (over the years),” said Police Chief Rick Bourassa. “In July, we will get the Statistics Canada report that puts these numbers into rates and compares (us) with other police services.”
Most categories of crimes saw a decrease in 2019, according to statistical information presented during the recent Board of Police Commissioners’ meeting at city hall.
While last year Moose Jaw police responded to 15,626 calls, two years ago they responded to 15,642, or 16 more, according to the data.
There were 453 total crimes against the person last year, compared to 456 in 2018. Categories under this heading — comparing 2019 to 2018 — include:
• Homicide: 1 / 2
• Attempted murder: 3 / 0
• Sexual assaults: 36 / 48
• Common assaults: 223 / 204
• Assault with weapon/cause bodily harm: 34 / 41
• Aggravated assault: 2 / 4
• Assault police: 9 / 14
• Robbery: 12 / 13
• Uttering threats: 80 / 88
• Domestic dispute: 104 / 145
There were 1,571 crimes against property last year, compared to 1,899 two years ago. Categories under this heading — comparing 2019 to 2018 — include:
• Break and enter: 237 / 244
• Theft of motor vehicle: 89 / 126
• Theft over $5,000: 25 / 18
• Theft under $5,000: 639 / 819
• Arson: 4 / 6
• Mischief under $5,000: 252 / 320
There were 103 charges of impaired driving last year, compared to 112 two years ago. Also, there were 803 incidents of people failing to comply with a court order, compared to 981 in 2018.
Other categories under the Other header:
• Motor vehicle accidents over $1,000: 250 / 288
• Provincial liquor infractions: 126 / 189
• Summary offence tickets: 1,196 / 1,508
• Cocaine: 12 / 11
• Cannabis: five / 36
• Methamphetamine: 21 / 27
• Other prohibited drugs: 21 / 16
Also during the meeting, the newest commissioners were sworn in. The commissioners on the police board include Mayor Fraser Tolmie, Coun. Dawn Luhning, Coun. Heather Eby, MaryLynn Booth and Darrel Markin. The Board of Police Commissioners’ meeting is Tuesday, Feb. 11.