Crime in Mission is on the decline, according to a new RCMP report.
Mission RCMP officer in charge Ted Lewko released the detachment’s annual crime stats for 2022 in a report to council on Monday (Feb. 6). The report highlights the statistics from Oct. 1 to Dec.31, 2022, along with overall 2022 numbers.
In 2022, the City of Mission had 14,943 total crime files, down from 15,586 in 2021. It amounts to an overall four per cent decrease in crime from 2021, with a 17 per cent decrease from the July to September quarter.
The most common crimes were ‘Property Crime’ at 1,990 incidents, ‘Persons Violent Crime’ at 999, followed by assaults at 530, ‘Mental Health Act’ at 461 and mischief to property at 433.
Spousal violence increased by 32 per cent last year and totalled 210 incidents, while sex offences rose 21 per cent with 116 last year.
The largest decrease in crime came in the ‘Break and Enter (Other)’ category at 30 per cent, while ‘Other Theft (Over $5,000)’ saw a 24 per cent decrease. The largest increases in 2022 were robbery at 127 per cent and residential break and enters at 49 per cent.
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The Mission RCMP says it is taking action to address rising issues at the Mission Leisure Centre and Youth Centre, where youth fighting and property damage have been reported. Meanwhile, police say a suspect has been identified for arsons at Heritage Park and the investigation is ongoing.
The report to council states that police are also focused on reducing break-ins and thefts and have implemented plans to conduct regular checks at the Leisure Centre.
“Officers have been instructed to take a no-nonsense enforcement approach at the Leisure Centre through arrests, the release on conditions and violation tickets (we will not be using restorative justice in most instances),” the report read.
A number of arrests were made by the RCMP in the Mission area during the recent period. The incidents included fraud, theft, assault, drug trafficking, a domestic dispute and an alleged carjacking with a knife. In addition, officers dismantled a meth lab and seized drugs, firearms and cash as part of a drug investigation. One individual was fatally stabbed and the case has been handed over to the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team.
There was a separate report presented in closed council highlighting public complaints against the RCMP, investigations of a sensitive nature, deployment of resources, and an overview finances related to specific projects.