Crime statistics are in for 2015, showing a 31 per cent reduction in residential break-ins from 2014. There were 677 break-ins in 2015, whereas 2014 had 981, which represented at least a five-year high.
Meanwhile, motor vehicle thefts jumped 10 per cent, from 347 in 2014, to 383 in 2015, according to a Richmond RCMP report to city council’s safety committee.
Although thefts from cars dropped five per cent, Coun. Ken Johnston warned of an uptick in a certain type of theft from cars. He said residents should be aware of growing incidents of thieves breaking into cars and stealing garage door openers. The thieves find the house by looking at insurance papers stowed in a compartment.
“So keep those clickers in your pocket,” said Johnston.
Police reported that overall property crime was down 2.6 per cent, with 8,206 incidents. Violent crime remained steady, with assaults up, but sexual offences and robberies down.
Supt. Renny Nesset said the committee can expect a full review of the Block Watch program in April.
Playground vandals busted
Richmond RCMP report that the perpetrators of vandalism at the Terra Nova playground in early 2015 have been caught. The department’s Youth Division identified the young vandals and, with an agreement with the City of Richmond and support of Restorative Justice of Touchstone Family Association, the matter was resolved outside of the criminal court system.
