Grand Forks RCMP’s latest crime stats show an increase in overall call-outs last year. Calls for service increased from 3,000 in 2016, to 3,553 in 2017, and criminal code offences were up seven per cent from 2016.
Violent crime was down 16 per cent but property crime was up by the same figure, and in 2017 Grand Forks RCMP responded to 31 human deaths mostly relating to the opiate crisis. That’s up from 14 in 2016. In 2017 the 12 most prolific offenders in Grand Forks were linked to 380 calls for service. But that does not include investigations in which they’re only suspected.
Crashes were up in the last three months of 2017 compared to the same time last year, with 34 collisions including two that were fatal. While October, November, and December of 2016 saw 24 collisions and no fatalities.
The report also says the detachment experienced severe resource shortages through 2017, sometimes operating at 50 per cent of full staff. Sgt. Jim Fenske also announced he could be leaving, but suggested it would be closer to next winter.