The Moose Jaw Board of Police Commissioners received some good news on Tuesday in the form of April’s statistical extract. 

The Moose Jaw Police Service saw a decrease of 20.7 per cent in crimes against the person year-to-date this year compared to 2020. 

That included a 33 per cent decrease in common assaults, 31.6 per cent decrease in assaults with a weapon and assaults causing bodily harm, and a 60.5 per cent decrease in uttering threats. 

Chief Rick Bourassa these numbers are just a short-term look at what is happening in the community. 

“These aren’t trends. This is a snapshot of time. We always follow the trends over a longer period. It is good. I’d much rather see those numbers down then up,” Bourassa said. 

Crimes against property were down slightly, with a 6.4 per cent decrease year-to-date compared to last year. 

Break and enters were down by two per cent, which included an 18.5 per cent decrease in break and enters at businesses. Vehicle thefts were also down 48.1 per cent and thefts under $5,000 were down 14 per cent. 

One troubling number out of the statistical extract was a 29.2 per cent increase in impaired driving charges. Bourassa explained why the number has gone up. 

“That is not indicative of an increase in appaired driving. That’s indicative of an increase in our focus on it and the enforcement,” Bourassa said.  

“A lot of that work is being done by Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan which includes our police service members and adds some check stops those sorts of things.” 

Meanwhile, drug offenses have increased 100 per cent with 20 offenses from the beginning of the year until April, compared to 10 during the same time period last year. This includes seven methamphetamine charges, up from only one a year ago. 

Overall, the calls for service this year are slightly up 2.3 per cent.