Crime is trending down in the Boundary Region

The latest release of crime statistics shows many crimes are down in the Boundary Region compared to the same time period of last year. The Boundary region is comprised of two detachments. Midway Detachment which also covers Greenwood, Rock Creek, Christian Valley and Beaverdell, while Grand Forks Detachment also includes Christina Lake.

Property Crime in the area shows a 35% decrease from 283 files in 2022 to 184 so far in 2023. The total amount of Criminal Code offences had a 26% drop from 514 cases to 380 cases.

The report further breaks down the overall file count to 36 specific categories, where 29 of these categories saw either a decrease or no change while only 7 showed an increase. Of note are some of the results from this report:

• Arson – down 4 (50% decrease)
• Auto Theft – down 3 (13.6% decrease)
• Bike Theft – down 4 (57% decrease)
• Break and Enter to Business – down 5 (55.65 decrease)
• Break and Enter to Residence – down 3 (30% decrease)
• Frauds – down 14 (32.6% decrease)
• Mischief to Property – down 24 (31.6% decrease)
• Possession of Stolen Property – down 3 (75% decrease)
• Theft Under $5000 – down 7 (15% decrease)
• Sex Offences – down 10 (55.6% decrease)
• Shoplifting – down 7 (87.5% decrease)
• Theft from Vehicle – down 13 (48.15% decrease)
• Utter Threats – down 15 (36% decrease)
• Weapons Offences – down 8 (57% decrease)
• Assaults – up 9 (16% increase)

There can always be one or many factors for seeing increases or decreases in our crime stats, stated Detachment Commander Sergeant Darryl Peppler. A decrease in crime can often be associated to just a few clients having left town, either through moving away or being incarcerated. Other factors include proactive patrols in high risk areas at certain times, stronger enforcement, use of community groups such as Citizens on Patrol, and one of the best factors, a person turns over a new leaf and they change their wayward behaviors.