Neck guard sales jump after Sask. hockey player slashed by skate
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More adult players are now investing in the protective equipment.
The Regina Police Service is helping paint a picture of crime within the city for 2017.
The crime statistics for Jan. 1 to Nov. 30 were released Wednesday during the board of police commissioners meeting.
While the year-over-year numbers show a decrease in crimes against people and property, police Chief Evan Bray said there’s a noticeable increase in gun violence.
“When (I) was a constable on the street, if you took one serious gun call a month, and I mean one a month, that’s a lot. And today it’s almost every day,” he said.
There have also been more homicides over the course of the year, with eight taking place compared to seven during the same time frame last year.
Meanwhile, the number of attempted murder cases in Regina is down nearly 33 per cent, from 31 in 2016 to 21 this year.
While robbery is down nearly 33 per cent – with 267 cases in 2016 compared to 181 this year – there have been around 170 more incidents, a 3.4 per cent increase, in thefts under $5,000.
“Some people think that’s not as serious of a crime, but the reality is that every crime, every stat, is a human being, is a victim, is someone who’s been affected,” Bray said.
According to the stats, less people are trying to steal cars and numbers show a nearly seven per cent decrease in successful auto thefts from 880 last year to 820 in 2017.
Bray credits an “incredible array” of social services and supports in combating crime.
He said the work they do with groups such as The Circle Project and All Nations Hope – and youth-focused services like TriP – have helped.
“That all goes a long way to really what the true crime picture ends up looking like.”
More than 800 impaired drivers caught
The Traffic Safety Unit of the Regina Police Service also revealed their current numbers for 2017.
In total, the unit has handed out 811 charges for impaired driving, exceeding .08 blood alcohol content and refusing a breath test.
During Operation Bus Cop, 207 traffic tickets were handed out, including 117 for distracted driving.
Cellphone tickets also saw a huge jump, with an 89.4 per cent increase from 2016.