City of Dawson Creek sees decrease in crime due to RCMP’s suppression efforts

DAWSON CREEK, B.C. — The City of Dawson Creek says the RCMP’s suppression and enforcement efforts have decreased violence in the community.

The city released an update on Monday afternoon regarding the RCMP’s efforts within the community.

According to the release, the city says they would like to remain as transparent as possible and are in contact with the local detachment, but the RCMP is unable to share a lot of information during active investigations.

“Drugs and multiple firearms have been taken from the hands of alleged offenders and the efforts from the Dawson Creek Detachment and supporting RCMP units will continue as we move into the Spring of 2024,” read the city’s release.

Due to multiple incidents of shots fired within the city, police units from across the province have come in to assist the local detachment.

On December 12th, Prince George’s Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit, the Lower Mainland’s Uniform Gang Enforcement Team and the North District Emergency Response Team were deployed to Dawson Creek.

The Prince George Regional General Investigation Section, the Prince George Major Crime Unit and resources from the Fort St. John and Williams Lake detachments have also assisted in Dawson Creek.

Early in December, the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth and Dawson Creek Mayor Darcy Dober had a conversation about the increase in crime and how to address the rise in crime.

Dober and South Peace MLA Mike Bernier commended the RCMP’s efforts in November, and Bernier said he believes the frustration lies with the judicial system, not the RCMP.