RCMP report: Assaults up, property crime down

Assault offences more than doubled in the Crowsnest Pass RCMP detachment’s April-to-June statistics, even as property crime fell and the overall Criminal Code total remained close to last year’s level.

The quarterly update for council’s Sept. 29 meeting recorded 24 assault offences, compared with 11 during the same three months in 2025. Property offences fell to 67 from 88, a decrease of 24 per cent.

The figures were part of Sgt. Mark Amatto’s first-quarter update for the 2026-27 fiscal year, covering policing priorities, enforcement activity and staffing in the detachment area.

Overall, the statistical table recorded 181 Criminal Code offences, down from 184 a year earlier. Its categories include attempted and completed offences.

Offences against people rose to 63 from 38, an increase of 66 per cent. Along with the increase in assaults, uttering-threats offences rose to 18 from 12. Criminal harassment offences fell to nine from 12.

The property-crime decline included fewer break-ins and fewer mischief offences. Break-and-enter offences fell to six from 11, while mischief involving property damage declined to 12 from 20.

Not every property category decreased. Theft under $5,000 rose to 15 from nine, while vehicle thefts remained at four.

In its account of property-crime enforcement, the detachment reported conducting 35 curfew checks and laying charges where appropriate. The report said several people identified for its habitual offender management program were in custody, two had relocated and one had been removed from the program.

Domestic violence remained a policing priority. The detachment reported that nine domestic violence occurrences led to criminal charges and that victims received referrals to victim services.

Road safety work included 11 calls concerning impaired operation of a motor vehicle. The report said investigations resulted in three impaired-operation charges.

Officers also conducted six joint enforcement operations with Alberta Conservation and the Crowsnest Pass community peace officer program.

The staffing figures, measured on June 30, showed seven officers working out of nine established positions, with two on parental leave and no hard vacancies. Two of three detachment support positions were working, with one employee also on parental leave.

Police visibility work extended beyond enforcement. The report described foot patrols in Lundbreck, Blairmore and Bellevue, along with five joint check-stops: three in the municipality and two in the MD of Ranchland.

Officers also made a combined 16 visits to the Blairmore Health Centre and local schools during the quarter.