Crime continues to trend down for the year in the statistics presented to city council by Battlefords City Detachment Monday night.
In that report, compiled as usual by Battlefords staff sergeant Phil Wilson, several declines are being noted for the year in just about all the major crime categories, following on improved July numbers. Wilson noted there was a "steady decrease" in the crime numbers in the report.
For the year through July, person offences are down 20 per cent from 583 to 465, business break and enters down 32 per cent from 31 to 21, residential break and enters are down 16 per cent from 57 to 48, property offences are down two per cent from 1508 to 1473, and criminal code offences are down six per cent from 1205 to 1127.
As well, liquor acts are down 30 per cent for the year from 252 to 176.
Once again, though, reported drug offences continue to see increases. Drug offences are up from 130 in 2011 to 268 through 2012, for a 106 per cent increase, though July numbers only went up from 25 to 27.
Provincial traffic offences are up 26 percent for the year from 1183 to 1497 and impaired operation of a motor vehicle is up nine per cent from 210 to 228.
Wilson called it an indication that police officers are out on the road and catching people doing those offences.
It should be noted both categories saw declines in July, with provincial traffic offences dropping from 250 to 96 and impaired operation of a motor vehicle dropping from 38 to 35.
The latest update continues what has been a downward trend for the year in crime numbers overall, with several months of declines posted in the major categories.
Overall, there are 1088 calls for service through July 2012 compared to 1526 the previous year.
Only 17 foot patrols took place in July. Wilson called it disappointing but pledged to try and increase those.
As for bike patrols, several bike patrols had been done already. Wilson notes two officers are being sent to Portland, Oregon to be instructors in a mountain bike course there, and he noted the potential exists for North Battleford to possibly host such training for other officers in the future.
