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The Fort St. John RCMP detachment has provided an update to council on police activity in the region, reporting a decrease in shoplifting but an increase in car theft. (Energeticcity.ca)
FORT ST. JOHN, BC – The Fort St. John RCMP detachment has provided an update to council on police activity in the region, reporting a decrease in shoplifting activity but an increase in car thefts.
Sergeant Scott Watson, acting detachment commander of the Fort St. John RCMP, appeared before the council August 12 to present the city’s 2023 annual reviewafter which the council and RCMP agreed to change the reports to monthly.
The October report, which was presented to the city council on November 5, shows an increase in car thefts, mainly due to: a lot of thefts from vehicles at hotels targeted at hunters, but a decrease in shoplifting incidents by 10.
Watson highlighted an “interesting” reduction in incidents at Walmart, where the store has followed the RCMP’s advice and hired additional security officers.
During his August report to council, Watson highlighted a critical need for staffing through 2023, which appears to remain a concern in October.
The detachment has hired five recruits in recent months and expects two more before the end of the year. Vacancies for three officers are still being reported, and one officer and one watch commander are still on extended sick leave.
According to the report, a second watch commander has returned to full hours and will return to active duty after completing mandatory training. A candidate has also been selected for the role of detachment commander, and the detachment is currently “awaiting the staff process to initiate a transfer.”
The name of the selected candidate is currently unknown, but will be made public after confirmation.