Grande Prairie residential area (Photo Credit: Dreamstime)

By Abby Zieverink

Crime down October

Grande Prairie RCMP reports drop in October crime year-over-year

Nov 5, 2021 | 12:47 PM

Crime in Grande Prairie is down for the month of October year over year.

This, from the Grande Prairie RCMP, where a significant drop was reported in a few specific areas of crime in October 2021 when compared to October 2020.

The biggest drop was reported for break and enters, as reported cases were cut in half to 14 in 2021 in the city, compared to 28 cases in October 2020. While in the county, last October saw eight reports, with only one reported to RCMP this year.

Cst. Lindsay Ralph says they believe the big drop in crimes is because of the public’s continuing awareness of ensuring properties and belongings are securely locked up, including increased security measures outside residents’ homes.

“Some people have increased their security measures, therefore their doorbells with a camera or having a camera outside their residence.”

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Theft from a motor vehicle also saw a large drop in both regions, as 72 were reported in the city and seven in the county in October 2020. Both regions dropped to nearly half those totals, as 41 were reported in the city this past October and four in the county.

The report also showed a slight decrease in possession of the stolen property in both the city and rural areas covered by the local RCMP detachment. Both regions are down four cases for October year-over-year, bringing the city from 26 down to 22 cases, while the county saw 11 last October, with only seven this past month.

Ralph suggests taking the best precautions to protect residents’ properties or possessions is crucial to ensuring crime continually goes down year-over-year.

“Whether that is locking our residence or locking your vehicle or ensuring your package left on our step is picked up by a family member or placed in a more secure area, so there’s no temptations.”

Ralph tells EverythingGP, despite many areas of crime down in the region, the total police calls for service increased.

Although there is no clear indication why there were more calls for service, she suggests it could be more residents phoning the RCMP in the area.

“Letting us know what’s going on, because the residents of Grande Prairie, we encourage them to report instants to the RCMP so we can be aware what’s going on in certain areas.”