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Increase in major theft charges due to inflation in consumer goods, police chief says
Jason G. Antonio - Moose Jaw Express
There has been a 160-per-cent increase in thefts over $5,000 this year compared to 2022, which the police chief says is due to stolen items being worth more than in previous years.
There were 13 thefts of items over $5,000 from January to April of this year, compared to five incidents during the same period last year and six incidents in 2021, recent crime statistics show.
Meanwhile, there has been a year-over-year increase of 160 per cent in thefts under $5,000, with 268 incidents year-to-date (YTD) compared to 219 incidents YTD last year and 171 episodes during the same time in 2021.
The Moose Jaw Police Service presented the data during the recent Board of Police Commissioners’ meeting, while Chief Rick Bourassa explained what was con- tributing to the increases during a media scrum afterward.
“Part of it is inflation. That might sound facetious, but that is part of it, is the value of some items has increased,” he said. “… there are a lot of items that are worth $5,000 that are fairly easy to remove, whereas a few years ago, it wasn’t that easy.” ceives and what city hall receptionists often handle, said Commissioner Clive Tolley. Sometimes residents just want to be heard and their query doesn’t become an actual service call.
Bourassa has been a police officer for several decades and recalls when he first started, thefts were categorized as either over or under $200. That number then rose to $500, $1,000 and then $5,000 several years ago.
“So when I say inflation, that is responsible for some of (the thefts). But some items that would not have been valued at that ($5,000 number) are now valued at that — or higher,” he added.
“And the ability of those people (receptionists) to listen, be polite and let these people vent a little bit, I think you’re performing a good mental health community service,” he added, “because sometimes that will be enough to defuse the situation and get the people to relax and calm down … .”
The next Board of Police Commissioners meeting is Thursday, June 8, at 7 p.m. in the Moose Jaw Public Library’s south meeting room. The public is welcome to attend.
Village Of Briercrest
2023 ASSESSMENT ROLL NOTICE
Notice is hereby given that the assessment roll for the Village of Briercrest for the year 2023 has been prepared and is open to inspection by appointment in the office of the assessor on Tuesdays from 9:30am – 2:30pm and 6:00pm – 8:00pm and Thursdays from 9:30am – 2:30pm. Beginning May 26 – June 24, 2023.
A bylaw pursuant to section 214 of the Municipalities Act has been passed and the assessment notices have been sent as required.
Any person who wishes to appeal his/her assessment is required to file his/her notice of appeal, accompanied by a $30.00 appeal fee which will be returned if the appeal is successful, with: The Secretary of the Board of Revision, Kristen Tokaryk, Box 25, Briercrest, SK S0H 0K0, by the 24th of June, 2023.
Dated this 24th day of May 2023.
Linda Senchuk Administrator Village of Briercrest
