Police Chief Jon Bergen discusses April's crime stats during Thursday's Board of Police Commissioners meeting. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Crime

Prince Albert’s property crime spikes in April

May 21, 2021 | 8:00 AM

Home and business owners in Prince Albert were certainly not laughing last month.

There were 347 incidents related to property crime, this compared to 243 the month prior, and represented the highest number for the month in five years. Police Chief Jon Bergen discussed April’s crime statistics during Thursday’s Board of Police Commissioners meeting,

“We’ve adapted and we’ve deployed resources,” he said.

Property crimes relate to a number of different offences including arsons, break-and-enters, and vehicle thefts.

There were 57 events last month involving break and enters. This compared to 21 in March and 25 in April of 2020.

GST Holiday

Federal government's two-month GST holiday begins

11h ago

Imminent need

Council set to discuss possible location for homeless shelter on 15th Street

16h ago

International Spotlight

P.A.'s Howe one of 4 Sask. born players named to Canada's World Junior roster

Dec 13, 2024

“There’s been some good results with a good number of charges laid and so excellent work occurring to hold accountable people that have committed some of these break and enters,” he said

For all of 2021, there’s been 105 vehicles stolen.This compares to 89 for the same four month period in 2020.

The majority of vehicles have been stolen because the suspect had access to a key or a fob. In 74 incidents, the vehicle was left unlocked. Bergen explained to the board the reason someone may be charged with possession of stolen property, versus theft of a vehicle.

“To charge them with the theft, it’s going to have to be a fairly recent event, with evidence to support the theft,” he said.

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell