The Lloydminster RCMP have provided an update to council, highlighting notably a drop in files.
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“Last year we had a decrease in files from 2023, so we actually went from 18,933 to 18,517,” said Insp. Brian Nicholl.
Nicholl says they’re much more proactive, which reduces the files. Other file breakdowns were also provided, giving insight into crime in the border city.
Persons crimes saw an increase of one per cent and property crime had a five per cent increase last year. Total criminal code files decreased by 7 per cent, encompassing every criminal file.
Motor vehicle collisions also saw an increase.
“Total motor vehicle collisions have increased 18 per cent,” said Nicholl. “It really depends on our year; if we have a snow year like the year before, it wasn’t too bad for snow. When we have a snow year, there’s a bunch of accidents.”
He said that at the end of the year, more snow issues were leading to more accidents.
Drug files were also down, something Nicholl credits to proactive work.
“Drug files we’ve seen a decrease of 17 per cent. Drug files are generally equated with proactive work. Since we have an alert unit, we now have a CRT unit and a STRT unit in our detachment, that’s kind of their mandate,” explained Nicholl.
The Lloydminster detachment has provincial units working out of it, such as the Crime Response Team (CRT), Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT) and Saskatchewan Trafficking Response Team (STRT).
Council also received data to show how many files each member was taking on.
“In 2024, our criminal code files per regular member were 146, and that’s based on the 58 members. In 2023, based on the 51 members, it was 168,” said Nicholl.
Of the 58 that make up a full complement at the detachment, there are 11 hard vacancies, meaning there is no one named for the position and no one in. There are also five soft vacancies which are vacant due to a variety of reasons, which may include long-term maternity leave or medical leave.
Even with these vacancies, there’s some good news on the horizon.
“Coming forward, we have two of our positions that have just gone to lateral advertisement through the province. That closed last Wednesday, there’s seven applicants for sure and possibly more by now,” said Nicholl.
Two sergeant positions have also gone on to promotions.
Nicholl explains the number one complaint he hears at community events.
“Traffic is still the number one complaint I get from every community meeting that I’ve ever held in this community,” he said.
“Primarily, what we’re seeing when we’re being spoken to is in the residential areas. We’re looking at speed within the residential areas, stop signs, cellphones, and failing to stop. Most recently, there has been some talk about the red lights in the commercial vehicles.”
Community relations continue to be a priority for RCMP.
“As far as community relations, we’re incorporating foot patrols this year, more engagement with coffee with the cop, recruiting sessions,” said Nicholl.
Coun. Michael Diachuk asked who is committing a crime, whether it is an unhoused issue or not.
“It isn’t all an unhoused issue. Are they an issue? Yes, right now, for example, in May, we’ve had 25 per cent of our calls, roughly, are dealing with unhoused individuals, somehow related,” said Nicholl.
“The reality is it isn’t all them (unhoused).”
Coun. David Lopez talked about the response he gets from the RCMP after having to call them multiple times.
“I want to say you bring a sense of calm and safety when you do show up. If it’s someone with the unhoused or someone with drug issues or things like that, you don’t make a spectacle or a seen. It’s very calm and collected,” said Lopez.
Lopez also spoke about wanting to see the return of the cops on bikes program.
As conversation around the table continued, Coun. Michele Charles Gustafson took the opportunity to relay a message.
“I’m getting a sense of a general message. If you see something, say something. Even if that is to a councillor, but that policing committee can serve a spot where they’re talking to their peers, which then ripples up,” she said.
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