While most crime rates in Richmond have remained stable or decreased, the latest Community Safety Committee meeting revealed a rise in drug crimes and hate related incidences.
In August, Richmond saw 35 more cases of drug seizures, a 40 per cent increase from the previous month and a 12 per cent increase from August 2020.
“Some of those numbers you see are from the increase in enforcement and pressure on the street level drug traffickers,” said Will Ng, Richmond RCMP Chief Supt. during the committee meeting.
While Ng acknowledged the presence of the opioid epidemic in Richmond, he said the RCMP’s elevated initiative to stop drug trafficking has caused an uptick in drug related crimes files.
The city has also seen an increase in hate crimes and incidents, with a total of 41 files reported so far this year – seven more cases than all of 2020. But, again, that may have more to do with enforcement than an actual rise in the number of incidents, Ng explained.
“What you are starting to see is more people willing to come forward knowing that there is going to be action taken to address some of these offences,” said Ng, pointing to a city-wide campaign in response to anti-Asian hate incidents.
Metro Vancouver has seen an overall increase in anti-Asian hate over the last few years.
Hate “crimes” are identified as criminal offences that target a specific group, while hate “incidences” are lesser offences that may not warrant further legal action, he explained.
The Richmond RCMP are taking action both in training new officers, as well as making sure all hate crime reports are being properly investigated and handled, he added.
Despite these increases, Ng reminded the committee members that Richmond has the lowest violent crime rate in Metro Vancouver and the second lowest property crime rate.
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