North Battleford, Sask. comments on the Crime Severity Index ranking

Statistics Canada released its Crime Severity Index (CSI) data on Tuesday, outlining the number of reported crimes in Canada for 2021, as well as the severity of the crimes reported.

The higher the number, the more crimes there are in a municipality and the more serious those crimes.

The City of North Battleford ranks at the top of the index for communities with a population of 10,000 or more. He responded to the report.

Despite this ranking, in a statement the city said there was good news. The CSI shows that in 2021, violent crime in the city fell nearly 7.5%, despite an increase province-wide.

The city partners with provincial resources such as Community Safety Officers, Safer Communities and Neighborhoods (SCAN), who monitor and report suspected drug and prostitution homes, and RCMP units such as the Task Force about gangs and the crime reduction team.

Provincially in 2021, crime rates were on the rise, with an overall crime increase of 2.9%, a 3.7% increase in violent crime and a 2.5% increase in crime without violence.

“The escalation in non-violent crime is concerning and is something we have heard over the past year in our quarterly reports from the local RCMP at Council meetings,” Mayor David Gillan said in the statement. .

“While the City is pleased to see that its deliberate efforts to reduce violent crime are paying off, the increase in crimes of opportunity is troubling. As residents, we can all do our part to ensure that
crimes of opportunity are mitigated.

“Lock the doors to your home, do not store items in your vehicles, and remove your keys from your vehicles. It is important to be vigilant as we strive to continue to improve the overall safety and security of the City.

To report a non-emergency matter or unsightly properties, contact Community Safety/Law Enforcement Officers at 306-445-1775. To report a suspected drug den for further observation, contact SCAN at 1-855-933-6411 or file a report here. To contact the Battlefords RCMP for non-emergencies, call 306-446-1720. For an emergency, dial 9-1-1.