Kimberley RCMP saw a decrease in calls for service in the last three months, but they expect numbers to rise in the months ahead as the weather warms up and days get longer.
The detachment saw a seven per cent decrease in service calls from January to March compared to the same time frame last year.
Staff Sgt. Steve Woodcox says decreased call volumes are expected in the winter months.
“The months of January and February are when the weather is colder, the days are colder and we don’t have as much of an influx of tourists,” explained Woodcox.
“The calls for service are usually the lowest in this quarter. It’s not unusual for one quarter to be down by seven per cent and the next to be up by eight per cent.”
In total, the detachment received 344 calls for service through the first three months of the year.
The top three types of reports were: assisting other detachments and the public (89), traffic/vehicle incidents (71) and abandoned 911 calls/suspicious event-person-occurrence (38).
Kimberley RCMP officers issued seven roadside prohibitions and 31 tickets through the quarter.
Through the quarter, police forwarded eight reports to Cranbrook Crown Counsel for charge approval.
Officers also worked to connect with local youngsters and made 44 visits to schools.
Woodcox says connecting with youth is a major priority for the detachment.
“When we see someone who is having issues, we find out what or who we get to be involved in this child’s life to try and get them help,” explained Woodcox.
“Whether it’s a probation officer, a teacher or principal, or a police officer. Sometimes those connections help.”
While calls were down this quarter, Woodcox expects a rise as the weather warms and days get longer.
“Kimberley is busier in the spring and summer because we tend to have an influx of tourists,” said Woodcox.
“Some of our communities are busier, whether it’s Kimberley or the Wasa area. As the seasonal populations go up, there are more people outside and may be drinking, so the calls for service go up as well.”
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