Based on the Elk Valley RCMP's 2013 fourth quarter report, there has been a noticeable decrease in crime in Sparwood. Sgt. Will Thien presented the report and its findings to Sparwood Council at a regular meeting on March 3.
Between October 1 and December 31, 2013, the RCMP received 225 calls for service in the Sparwood area. This is in comparison to 363 calls for service during the same period of time the previous year.
“I'm quite pleased to say that the call for service has gone down significantly in that period of time compared to 2012,” commented Sgt. Will Thien. “The overall trend is that [crime] is starting to slow down a little bit.”
There were decreases in several types of offences during the fourth quarter in 2013 compared to 2012, including drug charges, break and enters, and liquor control act tickets. Most notably, thefts dropped from 27 in 2012 to nine in 2013, assaults dropped from 10 to five, and mischief dropped from 14 to eight.
“It's nice to see all these numbers have come down,” remarked Councillor Margaret McKie. “That tells me that you guys are doing a good job. Keep up the good work.”
Thien was especially pleased to see such a decrease in crime during a period of time when the Elk Valley RCMP was missing five members. Two are currently on maternity leave, two are on medical leave, and one is filling an empty position in Cranbrook.