July was a busy month for the Moose Jaw Police Service (MJPS), as it responded to more calls — particularly for crimes against people — compared to the same time last year.
The MJPS handled 1,571 calls for service last month, compared to 1,495 calls during July 2019, according to recent statistical data.
Crimes against people jumped by 30 per cent last month, to 53 incidents from 39 incidents a year ago. This category — comparing 2020 to 2019 — is composed of:
- Attempted murder: 1 / 0
- Sexual assaults: 5 / 4
- Common assaults: 19 / 12
- Assault with weapon/cause bodily harm: 3 / 3
- Aggravated assault: 0 / 1
- Assault police: 1 / 0
- Robbery: 1 / 1
- Threats: 8 / 7
- Domestic disputes: 15 / 11
Meanwhile, crimes against property declined by eight per cent, to 105 incidents from 114 events last year. This category — comparing 2020 to 2019 — is composed of:
- Break-enter into businesses: 4 / 1
- Break-enter into residences: 7 / 11
- Other break-enters: 6 / 5
- Motor vehicle theft: 11 / 8
- Theft over $5,000: 1 / 2
- Theft under $5,000: 29 / 58
- Arson: 1 / 2
- Property damage under $5,000: 46 / 27
The numbers for crimes against people and crimes against property are not surprising, police Chief Rick Bourassa said during the Aug. 11 Board of Police Commissioners’ meeting. The police service expects to see movement in these numbers as the year progresses.
“These are unique times, so I’m surprised there has not been a huge change,” said board chair Mayor Fraser Tolmie. “That kind of would reflect the stable city we’re living in and the positive policing that’s been going on.”
Other statistics comparing 2020 to 2019 show:
- Impaired driving: 6 / 7
- Fail to comply with court order: 71 / 86
- Motor vehicle accidents over $1,000: 29 / 19
- Provincial liquor infractions: 11 / 13
- Summary offence tickets: 67 / 108
- Cocaine: 1 / 0
- Cannabis: 1 / 0
- Methamphetamine: 3 / 1
- Other Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) drugs: 1 / 1
The next Board of Police Commissioners’ meeting is Tuesday, Sept. 15.
