Crime has dropped in the Boundary through the first three quarters of 2023 compared to last year, the latest statistics show.
According to a roundup prepared by Sgt. Darryl Peppler, the Grand Forks and Midway detachments — which also cover Greenwood, Rock Creek, Christian Valley, Beaverdell, and Christina Lake — saw criminal code offences drop 26 per cent between January and September, from 514 to 380.
Property crime also fell 35 per cent, from 283 files in 2022 to 184 in 2023. Of the 36 crime categories, 29 saw a decrease or no change. Some of them include:
- 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 (55.7% 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 $5,000 – 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,” Peppler said.
“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.”