Crime went down in 2024, in both the city and the surrounding rural area, according to the RCMP’s Annual Report presented to Fort St. John city council on Monday.
In their presentation, Acting Officer in Charge Sergeant Jaime Moffat and Staff Sergeant Scott Watson, reported that crime is down in all categories, except shoplifting, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, and rural theft over and under $5,000.
The number of property crimes reported has decreased across the board, with some categories, such as Break and Enter of Businesses down almost 50 percent from 2023.
While thefts both over and under $5,000 decreased in the city, and increased slightly in the rural areas, vehicle related thefts, both of and from vehicles also decreased.
Under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, charges for possession, trafficking, overdose calls and fatal overdoses all decreased, except for Fentanyl/Other Possession which went up slightly. Among the incidents under this Act, Cocaine Trafficking remains the most popular offense.
Motor vehicle offenses have generally decreased in 2024, with the notable exceptions being motor vehicle fatalities, and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle/flight from police.
Calls for service to public spaces in the city have also decreased, again with one exception – calls to the greenspace at 100 Street and 100 Avenue nearly doubled.
Shoplifting increased 61 percent in 2024, up to 324 reported incidents from 198.
However, the number of adults charged with property crimes has increased 71 percent over 2023, with 247 people charged in 2024, compared to 176 the year before.
The number of people in custody and court folders created has also increased in the past year, with Staff Sergeant Watson noting that Fort St. John has a slightly higher conviction rate than the rest of the province.
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