Crime appears to be down in Jasper during the recently passed spring and early summer, according to recent stats presented by the RCMP at Jasper town council’s August 17 general meeting.

RCMP Sgt. David Maludzinski presented a series of statistics that show declining numbers on a whole range of crimes that the RCMP tracks. The statistics only deal with the time between April 1 and June 30, but this time period is compared annually going back to 2006. 

For instance, there were 75 liquor investigations in Jasper during the beginning of the summer in 2008. In 2010, there were only 15.

“It seems there are less people on the street drinking alcohol,” said Sgt. Maludzinski.

Statistics for assaults, trespassing, municipal bylaws, disturbing the peace, and a host of other crimes have dropped. Overall, in 2010 there were 745 total investigations into possible criminal activity around Jasper. In 2006, there was 857.

Thefts under $5,000, a crime that is particularly problematic for Jasper where young, transient people are rife, has dropped considerably. In 2006, there were 48 incidents. In 2010, only 25. Mischief, another crime that the young commit frequently has also dropped precipitously, going from 42 incidents in 2008 to 26 this year.

Mayor Richard Ireland stated of the trend towards more peacefulness, “The trend appears to be good and that’s encouraging.”

Sexual assaults have shown an increase in Jasper this year, but the rise is very small. There have been three reported sexual assaults over April to June. While from 2006 until 2008, there was only one over the same time period annually, Sgt. Maludzinski said a rise of two was not something to be particularly concerned about and that it fit into previous patterns.

One of the only indicators that has risen in Jasper is the amount of federal drug investigations the police have investigated. Sgt. Maludzinski said this is because several years ago, he was dealing with a relatively green troop of police. Drug investigations can be difficult and his officers needed experience. They have it now and are launching more drug related investigations.

The number of traffic investigations, on such things as speeding and other on-the-road investigations, has also risen around Jasper. That too is related to drugs, as Sgt. Maludzinski said his officers have been launching more patrols on the road, searching for drug runners. In turn, this has lead to more investigations into other road problems.