According to St. Sgt. Mike Kisters from the Burns Lake RCMP detachment, a crime reduction strategy put in place five years ago is working to reduce the amount of files opened.
During 2006 the detachment had a total of 4997 active files and 998 prisoners. In 2007 this number was reduced to 4640 files opened, however 1081 prisoners were lodged in the cells. During 2009 the amount of files decreased to 4385 files and a total of 984 prisoners.
The 2010 numbers again decreased. Local RCMP officers opened 4287 files and lodged 803 prisoners in the detachment's cells.
"If we use these numbers as a measure, it appears that the strategies developed and put into action have had a positive effect," St. Sgt. Kisters said.
The 2010 statistics for the Burns Lake detachment are as follows: assaults - 278; break and enters - 93; motor vehicle thefts - 17; theft less than $5,000 - 77; mischief over $5,000 - 2; mischief under $5,000 - 414; causing a disturbance - 206; fraud - 40; drug offences - 133; provincial offences except traffic - 885, criminal code driving - 163 and mental health files - 88.
Files were opened on a total of 216 youth, while 1566 files opened during 2010 involved either drug or alcohol related offences.
During 2010, traffic files totalled 1211, which included 122 motor vehicle collisions.
St. Sgt. Kisters acknowledged the work of Lake Babine Nation mental health and addictions workers in his year in review report as well as staff at the Southside Health and Wellness Centre, Wet'suwet'en, Skin Tyee and Cheslatta bands.
"Without a doubt their efforts to date and willingness to work with police and other agencies has made a difference.