RCMP report ‘dramatic upward trend’ in shoplifting in January

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. – Shoplifting and theft of motor vehicles increased throughout the city last month, according to the local RCMP detachment’s monthly report. 

The City of Fort St. John RCMP detachment identified significant crime trends from January, including a “dramatic upward trend” in shoplifting incidents to 24 in its monthly update report.

The report was submitted to the City of Fort St. John council and reviewed during the February 10th regular meeting of council. 

Only seven theft from vehicle incidents were investigated compared to 11 in December however, and break and enters to both businesses and homes saw a “downward turn”, according to Senior Sergeant Scott Watson. 

The detachment did see a “dramatic upward trend” of shoplifting incidents, however, with 24 incidents in January compared to 14 in December. 

The report did not speculate on the possible causes for the increase in shoplifting incidents. 

In an interview with Energeticcity.ca in January, storeowner Bailey Ryder expressed feeling violated at the shoplifting incidents at her business, Scoop and Laine Collective. 

“I know that this year’s Christmas season was hard on everyone locally,” Ryder said.  

“I was watching closely through Facebook and every local business was sharing who was going around to shop without paying.”

Watson outlined two ‘hard’ vacancies at the detachment, one general investigation section (GIS) constable and one municipal traffic constable, but also stated the street enforcement team was fully staffed in January. 

One constable was on long-term sick leave, and Watson identified another ‘soft’ vacancy in the sergeant GIS position. 

‘Hard’ vacancies are those without a replacement individual named to the position, while ‘soft’ vacancies are those which are either temporarily empty or have a replacement officer named and expected. 

When discussing crime trends in the City of Fort St. John, Watson wrote that theft of motor vehicles saw a “slight uptick” from nine instances in December to 11 in January. 

Watson also briefly acknowledged a “highly visible” search warrant conducted by the Street Enforcement and Emergency Response teams. The search resulted in the seizure of several illegally possessed firearms and body armour. 

Energeticcity.ca contacted the Fort St. John RCMP detachment for comment on the crime trends, and will update this story as more information becomes available.