August crime rates trending down, but police in city remain vigilant

The Regina Police Service is optimistic in the wake of August statistics showing crimes against property and crimes against the person are both down compared to the same time last year.

Year-to-date, crimes against the person, which include violations like sexual assault, are down eight per cent — 143 fewer incidents than last year. Crimes against property are down 2.9 per cent — 243 fewer incidents than last year.

But police say they aren’t getting lulled into a false sense of security.

“We can have a great month one month and the next month it goes through the roof, so we can’t take our foot off the gas pedal, nor should our community partners or even the citizens of Regina in trying to protect themselves from being a victim of crime,” said Chief Evan Bray.

Although crimes against property are down overall, charges of theft under $5,000 have increased by 188 incidents — a 5.3 per cent increase — compared to last year. According to Bray, the increase can be attributed to people stealing from vehicles.

On the upside, auto theft rates are down by 7.4 per cent, with 55 fewer incidents than last year and charges of mischief and wilful damage, which includes things like graffiti, are down 13.5 per cent.

There were 12 reported robberies in August, but year-to-date, robbery rates have decreased 26.1 per cent.

“A very different picture this month compared to a few months ago. To see a trend downward is really positive,” said Mayor Michael Fougere at the monthly Board of the Police Commissioners meeting Tuesday morning.

But Bray said the RPS can’t take all the credit. Acknowledging the work of community partners in helping bring crime rates down, he praised programs like Regina Drug Treatment Court and the TRiP Program, which provides various supports for at-risk youth.

The ongoing battle against cellphones in the hands of drivers continues, as charges were up in August compared to last year.

“We’ve really stepped up our enforcement. We hear from the public on a regular basis — whether it be phone calls, emails, whatever — that they’re concerned about distracted driving,” said Bray.

He said RPS school resource officers are engaging with students to try to improve education and compliance over cellphone laws.

“I think that the young people in our community — and when I say young, I’m talking about people that aren’t even yet of driving age — I think they get it,” said Bray.