Is the crime rate declining? Iqaluit RCMP report fewer arrests than in 2012

Iqaluit police arrests down six per cent so far this year

By PETER VARGA

Iqaluit’s RCMP detachment reported this year’s arrests, amounting 2,242 to the end of October, are down by more than six per cent compared with the same 10-month period in 2012. (PHOTO BY PETER VARGA)


Iqaluit’s RCMP detachment reported this year’s arrests, amounting 2,242 to the end of October, are down by more than six per cent compared with the same 10-month period in 2012. (PHOTO BY PETER VARGA)

As the year draws to a close, Iqaluit’s RCMP detachment reports that police arrests for 2013 remain below last year’s levels.

Police made 2,242 arrests and detentions between the beginning of the year to the end of October, more than six per cent fewer than last year’s prisoner count of 2,388 over the same period, according to a quarterly report submitted to Iqaluit city council on Nov. 26.

The report, by Sgt. Monty Lecomte, which covers the months of August through October, notes that arrests in September were particularly low compared to last year, totalling 191 compared with last year’s 271.

Traffic offenses over the period covered were highest in August, amounting to 40 violations — which was also among the highest for 2013.

October’s total of 14 was among the lowest for 2013, even though RCMP made 126 vehicle stops that month, Lecomte reported.

Four impaired drivers were charged in August and September, and six in October.

Traffic violations in the three-month period showed almost no increase over the same quarter of 2012.

Drug trafficking charges in the period ranged from nine to 14 for each month, which was similar to levels reported in 2012.

Crimes against persons ranged from 92 to 125 incidents each month, also similar to last year’s figures.

Property crimes from August to October were consistently lower than those reported last year. September’s totals showed the most dramatic difference, amounting to 184 in 2013 compared to 234 in 2012.

Lecomte reported that the detachment was “short a couple of members” in each of the three months due to personnel transfers to other detachments, and holidays, but added that this had “no direct impact on the service ability to the community.”

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