Fort St. John sees ‘significant downturn’ in theft from motor vehicles, rise in other thefts

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — RCMP in Fort St. John are reporting a downturn in theft from motor vehicle and an upturn in theft last month. 

The report was submitted to the City of Fort St. John for the August 25th regular meeting to be reviewed by council. 

According to the Fort St. John RCMP detachment’s acting officer in charge, Scott Watson, there was a “significant downturn” in theft from motor vehicle incidents in July compared to June.

In the June policing report to council, the RCMP reported 36 cases of theft from motor vehicle, and in July only 11 were recorded, alongside 11 cases of shoplifting in Fort St. John in July, down from the 20 reported in June.

Incidents of theft under $5,000 were up in July, however, with Watson highlighting 27 cases throughout the month compared to the 17 in June.  

Watson also detailed the detachment’s 10 vacancies throughout July, five of which were soft – or temporary – and five were hard vacancies. 

Of the five hard vacancies, two RCMP members from outside the detachment are expected “in the fall” to fill positions in the serious crimes department, and another officer is expected in September to fill a vacancy in frontline policing. 

To read the complete RCMP policing report, see below.