Crime fell in Princeton by 10 per cent in 2021, from the previous year, according to a statistical report released by the Penticton South Okanagan Regional RCMP desk.
“I think we are doing very well,” said Sgt. Rob Hughes, Princeton’s detachment commander.
Local cops handled 453 criminal files last year, down from 502 in 2020.
Cases of violent crime were down 12 per cent, and down in each category which includes assault, sex offences, uttering threats and domestic violence.
There were 132 recorded cases of violent crime in Princeton in 2021.
While auto theft and shoplifting were up by 21 and 20 per cent respectively, all other classifications of property crime were down.
Notably, said Hughes, break ins to businesses were down 29 per cent, and break ins to residences were down 22 per cent.
Overall the detachment received 2,259 calls for service, compared to 2,214, a two percent increase.
Police were significantly busier in the last quarter of the year, with a 43 per cent increase in calls for service between October and December.
Hughes said November’s flood was a factor.
“The actual flood didn’t generate a lot of police calls, but the aftermath did…There were family members phoning, asking for us to check on people.”
There was also an increase in calls complaining about drivers, during the time when the Coquihalla was closed and all traffic between the Lower Mainland and the Interior was forced through the town.
On the year the top 10 reasons for calling police were traffic incidents at 100, and motor vehicle incidents at 97.
Police also responded to 38 hazardous situations.
“In a perfect world all these numbers would be zero,” said Hughes. “But crime is down. I am happy and the community should be happy, I think.”
Related: Crime down in Princeton
Related: Violent crime up in Summerland in 2021
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