By Nigel Maxwell

Shellbrook RCMP aim to lower property crime in 2019

Jan 3, 2019 | 7:00 AM

Despite a seemingly high number of reported break and enters in the Shellbrook area last year, officers are working to curb those numbers according to a senior Mountie at the Shellbrook RCMP detachment.

Cpl. Jonathan Iron, who has worked at the new Ahtahkakoop detachment office since it opened last month, told paNOW there were 59 reported break-and-enters last year, compared to 89 in 2017. He said there were a number of reasons why so many of these incidents are being reported.

“I think one is the public is more vigilant, they are reporting more occurrences and suspicious behaviour,” he said.

Iron said higher visibility by police in the form of patrols as well as the province’s new crime reduction team, has helped deter thieves. He added the new detachment at Ahtahkakoop may help too, being that the majority of the calls received by the Shellbrook detachment came from there.

Doug Oleksyn, reeve for the Rural Municipality of Shellbrook, said he heard of a number of break and enters in the Holbein area, prior to Christmas.

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“The one north of Holbein was Christmas presents and I think wedding rings,” he said.

On social media, the home owner offered a $1,000 reward for the return of his grandfather’s wedding ring which was stolen. The homeowner’s Iraq war medals were also taken. Oleksyn said despite the obvious frustrations, residents in the area are doing their best to lower crime.

“A lot of times people are staying a bit closer to home and people are watching neighbours places a lot closer,” he said.

Oleksyn said the RM does have a local crime watch group, but added it is not as big or as hands-on like the one in Lakeland which has patrols. Oleksyn said the group hopes to get more organized and possibly offer residents information through WhatsApp.

“Once you are cleared to be on there you can get notifications if there’s something going on in your area,” he said.

nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell