Iqaluit enjoyed drop in crime this summer: RCMP

Iqaluit RCMP search for a suspect in May, 2008. Crime figures released this past week show a decline in the capital for the second straight year. (FILE PHOTO)

Crime in Iqaluit appears to be sharply down in 2011, at least by one measure, according to RCMP figures released at city council Sept. 13.

The figures show the total number of people taken into custody by police is down nearly 20 per cent over the first eight months of 2011.

“We’re seeing a reduction of nearly 500 prisoners from last year which is pretty good,” Cpl. Kevin Lewis told councillors. By the end of August this year, RCMP had taken 1,931 people into custody. The figure for the same time in 2010 was 2,402.

RCMP Chief Supt. Steve McVarnock said 2011 marks the second year in a row the total number of prisoners has declined in Iqaluit: the figure dropped by 650 between 2009 and 2010.

“I would love if somebody could find out why (the figures are dropping),” said Coun. Mat Knickelbein. “I feel as though Iqaluit is not as grim and bleak… as some people stereotype it as.”

He added the rate of arrests is dropping at the same time Iqaluit is adding 250 to 300 new residents per year.

McVarnock said the drop could be caused by a new program where workers from the Department of Health and Social Services offer mental health and addictions referrals to people being released from the drunk tank.

The program applies only to people arrested for public drunkenness, not those facing criminal charges.

The RCMP also continue to intercept shipments of both drugs and alcohol. Booze is the single biggest contributor to crime in Nunavut, police often say.

As well McVarnock credits regular shows of force the RCMP here have dubbed “Take back the night” with putting a damper on crime.

“By 7:30 (at night) the whole community, including the bars and taxis, everybody knew that we were out there and we were out there in numbers and it was a very, very quiet night,” he said.

But McVarnock added the summer typically brings a spike in crime, thanks to a combination of longer days, better weather and an influx of alcohol on sealift.

Iqaluit’s total number of calls for service in the month of August dropped from 776 last year to 694 this year. But July’s total calls rose from 711 in 2010 to 849 this year.

Crime rates in the North remain high compared to the rest of Canada.

A 2010 Statistics Canada study on crime rates in Inuit Canada showed an overall rate of 362 crimes per 1,000 people, nearly six times the national average.