Property crimes declined 16% in February from 2019, data shows

The Moose Jaw Police Service (MJPS) responded to slightly fewer calls this past February compared to a year ago, data shows, with total crimes against property seeing a significant decrease year-over-year.

There were 1,137 calls for service made to the police station in February, compared to 1,170 the year before, which equates to a decrease of 33 calls or 3.6 per cent. Total calls as of this past February were 2,252.

The police service presented a statistical report for February during the Board of Police Commissioners’ April 1 meeting. The commissioners received and filed the report.

Assaults were up slightly this February compared to last year, at 25 versus 19. Specifically:

• Sexual assaults: 5/2

• Common assaults: 13/14

• Assault with weapon/cause bodily harm: 6/1

• Aggravated assault: 0/1

• Assault police: 1/1

There was one incident of robbery in February, compared to two a year ago. There were eight incidents of people making threatening comments that instilled fear in their victims compared to six in 2019. Meanwhile, there were eight calls about domestic disputes, compared to 16 the year before.

There were 42 total crimes against the person in February, compared to 45 the year before, for a slight decrease of three incidents, or 1.2 per cent.

There were 20 reports of break and enters this past February, compared to 27 the year before. Specifically:

• Business premises: 6/5

• Residence: 6/10

• Other break and enter: 8/12

There were also fewer thefts overall this February compared to 2019, including:

• Motor vehicle: 6/10

• Theft over $5,000: 0/0

• Theft under $5,000: 39/58

There were 21 mischief charges in February, where the property damage was less than $5,000, versus 13 last year.

Overall, there were 86 total cases of crimes against property in February compared to 108 the year before, for a decrease of 22 or 15.7 per cent.

The roads this past February were a little safer compared to a year ago, with only seven calls reported for impaired driving, compared to 10 last year. Meanwhile, 67 people failed to comply with a court order, compared to 73 the year before. There were 17 motor vehicle accidents over $1,000 during the second month of this year, compared to 41 the year before. Police handed out 124 summary offence tickets to people, compared to 52 the year before.

Police also responded to fewer incidents with drugs this February (one) versus last year (four). This includes:

• Cocaine: 1/1

• Cannabis: 0/0

• Methamphetamine: 0/2

• Other illegal drugs: 0/1