La Ronge RCMP Staff Sgt. Dean Bridle believes crime is up due to a lifting of COVID restrictions. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

RCMP update

Statistics show crime rising in La Ronge and surrounding communities

Apr 18, 2022 | 12:53 PM

Crime is up in La Ronge and neighbouring communities according to data released last week by the RCMP.

In the last 12 months from April 1, 2021, to March 30, there has been 4,433 incidents in the Town of La Ronge. Of those, 748 were related to property, 541 were criminal code offences and 418 were labeled under persons. Persons can include robbery, assault, sex assaults, harassing phone calls, forcible confinement, utter threats and weapon offences. There were 3,966 total incidents in 2020.

In the detachment’s entire policing area, including La Ronge, there were 11,374 incidents in 2021 and 10,304 in 2020. Property offences such as thefts, mischief, fraud, possession of stolen goods lead the way with 2,052 incidents, followed by persons at 1,221 and criminal code (cause of disturbance, breach of peace, indecent acts and fail to comply) at 1,063.

“I think there’s an increase because with the restrictions kind of relaxing, people are a little bit more mobile again,” said La Ronge RCMP Staff Sgt. Dean Bridle. “They are getting more confident to get out and about and I know this past spring, it was a very busy spring for us here and the members are pretty much running steady all of the time.

Other data released shows there were 965 provincial traffic offences in the last 12 months in the area, as well as 582 liquor-related offences, 370 cases under the Mental Health Act and 322 calls to assist the general public.

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The La Ronge detachment continues to receive a significant amount of calls, inquiries and files that are generated at the front counter or switchboard. An estimated 300 people seek assistance at the front counter every month.

Statistics for the Town of La Ronge for the last months. (Town of La Ronge)

Statistics for all incidents in La Ronge detachment area in the last 12 months. (Town of La Ronge)

In 2021, the provincial government announced the expansion of crime reduction teams in both La Ronge and Meadow Lake. There are already seven crime reduction teams in Saskatchewan, which have shown to be effective in disrupting, dismantling and prosecuting organized crime. Bridle noted a sergeant, corporal and five constables should be arriving in La Ronge soon.

“It is subjected to a regular staffing process, then they will slow identify people to put into those spots and then of course they have to move here,” he said. “They don’t necessarily report to the La Ronge detachment, but they will be here to work on issues that affect the tri-community area. It is going to be a welcome addition to have those extra bodies.”

There are currently several vacancies at the La Ronge detachment including three constables and two corporals. There is no update yet on when those positions will be filled.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno