Statistically speaking, or writing in this case, a recent report on crime in the Powell River area from RCMP staff sergeant Rod Wiebe is reason for encouragement.
Property crime, thefts and drug-related offences saw decreases in 2020 when compared to 2019.
Who do we have to thank for this drop in crime? RCMP officers, of course, but has COVID-19 come into play? Are career criminals practising physical distancing to the extent of avoiding criminal activity? Who would have thought coronavirus had any positive impacts?
Wiebe indicated that 2019 was an anomaly in the region, with “unexplainable” higher crime rates. Okay, perhaps an anomalistic year is a more likely explanation, but whatever led to the overall decrease, let’s hope that downward trend continues and the RCMP keeps “hitting the criminals where it hurts.”
Even with decrease in crime, specifically regarding drug trafficking, investigations in 2020 still led to multiple seizures involving cocaine, meth, fentanyl and cannabis. Illicit drugs are still out there, flowing into and out of the community, wreaking havoc on people and support systems, so any decrease in related activities are welcome.
Coronavirus is making most jobs more difficult, including for RCMP members, which makes the arrests and seizures even more impressive and satisfying to hear about.
Wiebe said trends have started to normalize as far as the local crime severity index is concerned and Powell River is back where it used to be.
Normal? We like normal. Can this be applied in other areas? Do we need to say where?
