Keys left in vehicles remain one the main factors behind a spike in thefts this year. (File photo/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Crime

Vehicle thefts haunt Prince Albert in October: crime stats

Nov 25, 2021 | 2:00 PM

The Prince Albert Police Service continues to respond to a high number of vehicle thefts, and a vast majority could possibly have been prevented.

There were 309 reported to the end of October, which was over 100 more than the same time last year.

For the month of October alone there were 31.

The statistics were discussed during Thursday’s Board of Police Commissioners meeting. Chief Jon Bergen explained the thieves are simply getting easy access.

There were 77 cases where the keys were left in the vehicle, and over 200 times the doors were left unlocked.

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From the total number of incidents, 71 charges have been laid, involving either theft of a vehicle or possession of a stolen vehicle.

Another area of crime that has seen an increase is sexual violations. There were 102 victims reported for the period ending Oct. 31. Bergen told the board that over half the victims were under the age of 18.

On a more positive note, the number of break-and-enters is at a five year low with 374. This was down from 440 in 2020, and 673 in 2017. Bergen attributed the success to key arrests and a visible police presence.

“There’s times where we arrest people who are responsible for multiple break and enter events,” he said.

Bergen’s contract has recently been renewed for a five year term with extension options afterwards. He noted for paNOW a lot has been achieved in the past few years, thanks in part to increases in funding for additional staff, as well as an overall increase in facility size with the opening of the downtown substation. Moving forward, he said he aims to continue the work that has been done.

“Continuing to grow to meet the needs of the community and recognizing what the challenges are, not just in crime and how that impacts the community, but the health and safety of the community of course is something we are always going to work towards,” he said.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell