Regina Police Service’s mid-year report sees rise in overdose deaths, arson, theft

Mid-year crime statistics released by the Regina Police Service (RPS) on Tuesday included concerning numbers such as a rise in apparent drug overdose deaths, arson, thefts and robberies.

Apparent deaths related to drug overdoses are hitting high numbers. Interim Chief Dean Rae said it’s a community-wide challenge that the police cannot tackle alone.

“I would say it’s a health concern and we really need everyone working together on this,” he said after a Board of Police Commissioners meeting.

“We know in the community that we’re struggling with having enough addiction supports in place, so that’s really where it starts: Building some supports into the system so that when people are looking for help to kick their addiction, they have somewhere to go, because right now there’s not many options for them.”

RPS overdose statistics from the 2023 mid-year crime statistics report.

The chart shows overdose deaths from the mid-year report.

In the 2018 mid-year report, 17 people died of an apparent overdose, with a total of 31 deaths that year. In the 2023 mid-year report, 93 people have died of an apparent overdose, with 21 deaths in July alone.

2021 saw the highest overdose numbers with a total of 164 apparent deaths that year.

There have been 390 overdose events so far this year.

Reports of arson are on the rise as well, with 192 reports so far this year. That’s higher than the 10-year mid-year average of 96.

Rae said most of the arson reports are bin fires.

“What we’re seeing now is in addition to the bin fires there’s often other pieces of garbage sitting back there. (Arsonists) light things on fire and then they’re catching structures on fire, whether it’s a shed or a garage,” he said.

The fires are often related to a group of individuals who set a number of fires before getting caught, according to Rae.

“I think that could be the case that we’re seeing now. We’re just seeing an increase in the numbers and hopefully we’re able to hold somebody accountable for the actions at some point in time. It is causing a fair degree of damage in our community and that’s a concern for all of us,” said Rae.

RPS arson statistics from the 2023 mid-year crime statistics report.

Theft is on the rise, with 12 per cent more occurrences at mid-year 2023 than mid-year 2022. This year’s numbers are 32 per cent higher than at mid-year 2014.

Theft continues on an upward trend due to an increase in thefts from vehicles, shoplifting and package thefts.

Rae said the RPS uses its social media to advise the public on locking their car doors and taking valuable items inside.

“I think everyone’s likely guilty of leaving something in there at some point in time; I know I have, but I try to do as best I can. That’s what we need to encourage our community to do. Let’s all work together on this because this is something we can all have an impact if we’re all working on the same page,” he said.

RSP theft statistics from the 2023 mid-year crime statistics report.

Mayor Sandra Masters is really concerned about street robbery statistics.

“People feel violated when their homes are being broken into. But when their physical safety is threatened or worse, harmed, that’s a whole other level,” she said.

The mid-year report for 2023 saw a 35 per cent increase in reported robberies compared to mid-year 2022. Robbery reports increased by 53 per cent when compared to mid-year 2014. The rise in robberies can be attributed to increased taxi or ride service and street robberies, which were offset slightly by a decrease in commercial robberies.

RSP robbery statistics from the 2023 mid-year crime statistics report.

“(We need to be) ensuring our taxi drivers and that our ride share drivers are safe. Those folks are lifesaving in driving folks who have been partaking in festivities and need a safe ride home, but then also on the street there’s that feeling that people can go out and about and enjoy their city, free of personal harm,” said Masters.

She encourages citizens to continue to report crime to the police.

“We want crime reported so that (police) can do the good work they do in terms of investigating and getting folks being held accountable, and perhaps holding folks accountable ultimately should reduce future crime,” she said.

For the full report, click here.

Search for new chief continues

Rae said there wasn’t an update on the search for a new chief to replace Evan Bray, who announced his retirement in March and ended his tenure at the end of June.

Rae was named the interim chief in July. An independent search firm has been tasked with finding Bray’s replacement.