As Sunshine Coast RCMP Staff Sgt. Jennifer Prunty began her Q1 report to Gibsons council during its April 22 meeting, she said there was “nothing glaringly of concern,” from her point of view.
She noted theft from vehicles is up across the Coast, calling them “crimes of opportunity,” reminding residents to lock their cars at night. “It's just opportunity. Thieves are going up and down the road and just quite randomly, trying to get into whatever they can.”
Prunty reported that all RCMP positions are now filled, and said the department continues to struggle with some of the “soft vacancies,” such as maternity, paternity (which she clarified is happy news for the detachment) as well as sick leaves.
Prunty’s report showed a jump in property crime, with 42 offences this quarter compared to 28 in the same period last year.
The report showed 300 total calls to service this quarter, 65 more than last year, where 235 were reported.
Near the end of her report, Prunty highlighted the RCMP’s partnership with the Restorative Justice Program, which she said is stronger than it had been the last few years. Prunty now represents the RCMP on the board, and said the communication has become much better, with referrals “starting to flow in.”
Through this, Prunty said more offences better mitigated through the Restorative Justice lens are being dealt with that way rather than through the criminal justice system.
Speaking to bicycle theft, Coun. Annemarie De Andrade asked if the RCMP have noticed a focus on E-bikes. Prunty responded that there have been cases of bike parts stolen from locked bikes and recommended owners remove the battery from E-bikes at night.
Jordan Copp is the Coast Reporter’s civic and Indigenous affairs reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
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