RCMP quarterly report shows increase in crime

By Miriam Ostermann, Associate Editor

Strathmore RCMP say crime in Strathmore is on the rise compared to last year.
While the majority of offenses seems on par with statistics collected in 2017, there is a slight increase in crimes against people, crimes against property and common police activities.
Such offenses include harassment, uttering threats, theft under $5,000, theft over $5,000, possession of stolen property, fraud, false alarms and abandoned vehicles.
According to the Strathmore RCMP report, presented to Strathmore’s town council during the Committee of the Whole meeting on May 9, a total of 1,324 cases were reported from Jan. 1 to March 31, out of which 1,257 were considered actual cases. Respectively, Strathmore fell victim to 1,233 cases in 2017, out of a total reported 1,278 cases.
“I think a lot of people that we deal with are a result of the economic crash who looked for salvation in addictions, and some of them still haven’t recovered from it,” said Dennis Delaronde, Strathmore RCMP acting detachment commander. “I think those are the main people that we’re dealing with in terms of property theft and stolen vehicles, things like that. Hopefully we keep applying crime reduction principles and the stats are even lower in the next quarter.”
According to Delaronde, the majority of offenders are not Strathmore residents.
The report also revealed a decrease in sexual offences, assaults, mischief, and break and enters. Most notable during the first quarter in 2018, theft under $5,000 increased to 69 actual cases from 55 previously, possession of property obtained by crime rose to 20 from 10 actual cases, and other criminal code offences including disturbing the peace, failing to attend court and resisting a peace officer totalled 99, up from 67 in 2017. In addition, common police activities such as person reported missing and assistance to the general public decreased to 63 from 72 actual cases, and crimes against a person-assaults was reduced to 23 cases down from 31 in 2017.
The Town of Strathmore financed two watch clerk positions to assist with completing technical and administrative tasks for the Strathmore RCMP detachment. Wheatland County also provided funding for a third watch clerk position.
“Residents are on the first line of defense when dealing with theft crimes, and we encourage all town and county residents to lock their homes and vehicles,” said Strathmore Mayor Pat Fule. “Additional help in the detachment allows the officers to spend more time in the community. We are happy to report that the program is showing positive results. Wheatland County’s generosity in funding a third watch clerk will greatly help to keep our town and county safe.”
Delaronde also spoke about the demand for drug recognition experts and field sobriety testers with the possible legalization of marijuana this year, and a map to be added to the town’s website that would provide updates and locations on the occurrence of crime within the town.