The latest annual Crime Severity Index data from Statistics Canada, released last month, shows a varied picture across southeastern Saskatchewan, but the RCMP is providing context to help residents understand the story behind the numbers.
While some local detachment areas saw statistical increases in crime, officials note that in rural areas, even a minor change in the number of incidents can lead to a significant-looking percentage jump.
"Those detachments that have relatively low numbers of calls for service, even a few additional calls throughout the entire year, can show increases when presented as a percentage," Staff Sergeant Michael Shortland with the Saskatchewan RCMP explained.
In the wider provincial context, several local detachments rank low on the Crime Severity Index. Out of 86 RCMP detachments in Saskatchewan, Weyburn, Coronach, and Milestone are all in the bottom 25% for CSI. S/Sgt. Shortland noted that the numbers reported in the last period are fairly typical for the area.
Data for the Weyburn detachment area showed an increase of four "persons crimes" in 2024, which represents a 3 per cent increase.
The Carlyle detachment provides a clear example of how specific incidents can skew statistics. The CSI there rose substantially, but this was largely due to two homicides in 2024, the first in that jurisdiction since 2012. According to an RCMP analyst, Carlyle’s CSI would have slightly decreased if not for those two incidents.
Further data for the Carlyle detachment area shows violent crimes decreased by tw per cent, while property crime increased by 19 per cent, driven by a rise in mischief as well as break-and-enters to outbuildings on rural properties. Impaired driving offences decreased by 13 per cent.
Impaired driving numbers saw a slight increase in other areas, with three additional calls in Weyburn and one additional call in Coronach. S/Sgt. Shortland acknowledged that policing impaired driving in vast rural regions is a challenge due to the large geographical distances between communities. However, he stressed that targeting impaired drivers remains a "huge priority for every detachment".
To manage resources effectively across the southeast, the RCMP uses an intelligence-led policing approach.
"We collect information and data from across the province," S/Sgt. Shortland stated. "We use that information to analyze and then also be able to make decisions on where strategic patrols should be made in areas of concern, as well as allow us to deploy our resources in the most effective regions."
This strategy includes proactively targeting individuals known to contribute to crime, such as those breaching court-imposed conditions or trafficking illegal drugs and firearms.
While police focus on enforcement, S/Sgt. Shortland emphasized the need to work with community partners to address the root causes of crime, such as substance abuse, economic pressures, and mental health concerns.
He concluded with a vital message for the public – report all crime and suspicious activity, regardless of how minor it may seem.
"It's important for two reasons," he said. "One is that we're an intelligence-led policing agency. So by reporting it, it lets us have a clearer picture of what's going on within our communities. And the second portion of that is it gives us an opportunity to investigate that particular incident."
He added that a seemingly small piece of information can sometimes be the last puzzle piece that sets in motion multiple files being successfully resolved.