DocumentsOtherJun 4, 2019Pages 47–71
West Shore RCMP - 2018 Annual Year End Report
Comprehensive 2018 year-end report for the West Shore RCMP detachment covering calls for service, crime statistics, traffic incidents, strategic priorities and unit activities.
Key facts
- Report length: 25 pages (internal pagination P a g e 1 | 25); appears in agenda package starting p.47
- Total Calls for Service in West Shore (2018): 20,889 (6% increase over 2017)
- Langford Calls for Service (2018): 11,482 (7% increase)
- Top call types: Traffic incidents, Assist Police/Fire/Ambulance, Property Theft, Alarm
- Traffic collisions (2018): total 1,036 (injury collisions increased to 200; 2 fatal collisions)
West Shore RCMP - 2018 Annual Year End Report
Message from the Officer in Charge
The West Shore RCMP welcomed a new leader last year. In August 2018, Inspector Todd Preston was commissioned as the Officer in Charge of the West Shore Detachment.
Insp. Preston has 21 years of policing experience and the West Shore Detachment is his 9th posting with the RCMP. Insp. Preston comes from a family tradition of policing; his father, a retired Staff Sergeant with the RCMP and his two brothers also serve as police officers.
Message from the Officer in Charge:
“I am very excited to be a part of the West Shore Detachment. Coming from a family heavily entrenched in serving Canadians through policing, I understand the dynamic role that the police play within the community. I believe in progressive policing and leadership.
Community input is key to developing the best policing strategy. To that end, community engagement is a priority for us here at the West Shore detachment. I want community members to feel comfortable in approaching the police to share their concerns. Being out there and being visible is the first step to achieving this. You may see our officers parked in various communities following up on their investigations or engaging with community members.
As we continue to build relationships with the community leaders, whether it be Mayor and Council or Chief and Councillors, it is important to have open dialogue so that we can work together to keep our community safe. Treating everyone with dignity and respect is key in being able to provide equal service to all communities in the West Shore.
The West Shore area is the fastest growing community on Vancouver Island and emergency services like the RCMP need to be a part of this growth. We must be forward thinking and anticipate the needs of the communities we serve. I am continually examining our policing resources. As the community grows, so will the detachment. A part of my job is to ensure that we have ample resources for police officers and support staff as well as the internal infrastructure required to house them.
The management team at the West Shore RCMP detachment is committed to ensuring that our officers are meeting the needs of the public we serve and to do that, we have examined what changes we can implement. Some of the recent changes at the West Shore detachment include renovating the building to better suit the needs of the employees which will help to ensure that officers and staff have what they need to perform and excel at their jobs.
Inspector Todd Preston
West Shore RCMP Detachment
WEST SHORE RCMP
RCMP & West Shore Communities
West Shore RCMP proudly serves approximately 78,0001 citizens and is the fastest growing region on the South Island. West Shore RCMP report to five municipalities including the Cities of Langford and Colwood, the Town of View Royal and the Districts of Metchosin and Highlands. West Shore RCMP also serves the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations and portions of the Malahat. West Shore RCMP police rural and suburban residential neighborhoods, commercial & industrial zones, recreational waterfront areas, provincial parks and the Trans-Canada Highway.
1 Police Services Division provides population data. The 2018 population figure is projected. Population figures utilize Census data; however, to align the data with policing boundaries as opposed to Census boundaries, an algorithm is applied.
Staffing & Partnerships
Eighty-five sworn officers, one civilian member, and thirty-three civilian personnel staffed West Shore RCMP in 2018. Together they handled 20,889 Calls for Service (CFS), an average of 57 calls per day.
West Shore RCMP also supports and works in conjunction with the Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit (VIIMCU), Forensic Identification Services (FIS), the Regional Domestic Violence Unit (RDVU), the Integrated Mobile Crisis Response Team (IMCRT) and the Mobile Youth Services Team (MYST). West Shore detachment supports the aforementioned integrated units through the secondment of Detachment personnel on a full time or rotational basis and through financial contributions towards their budgets. Presently, West Shore Detachment provides officers to several units (see table below).
Secondments (Table 1)
| # MEMBERS | UNIT |
|---|---|
| 2 | VIIMCU |
| 1 | RDVU |
| 1 | FIS |
STATISTICS
Total Calls for Service
Table 2 depicts the total calls for service in each West Shore municipality, district & First Nations Reserve (FNR) for 2017 & 2018, along with the file count (+/-) & percent change.
Table 2 - 2017/2018 Calls For Service Comparative Figures
| Jurisdiction | 2017 | 2018 | FILE COUNT (+/-) | % CHANGE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colwood | 3495 | 3718 | 223 | 6% |
| Esquimalt Nation | 91 | 124 | 33 | 36% |
| Highlands | 346 | 409 | 63 | 18% |
| Langford | 10753 | 11482 | 729 | 7% |
| Malahat | 184 | 183 | -1 | -1% |
| Metchosin | 956 | 1044 | 88 | 9% |
| Songhees Nation | 516 | 528 | 12 | 2% |
| View Royal | 3232 | 3214 | -18 | -1% |
| West Shore Total | 19755 | 20889 | 1134 | 6% |
West Shore’s 2018 calls for service increased by 6% compared to 2017. Colwood, Esquimalt Nations, Highlands, Langford, Metchosin, and Songhees Nation saw increases in the number of calls for service. Malahat area and View Royal saw decreases in calls for service.
Calls for Service & Population
Table 3 depicts the calls for service per 1000 persons and the percentage of calls for population for the municipalities, provincial areas and all West Shore.
View Royal had the highest number of calls per 1000 persons (307 calls per 1000 person) and as a percentage of the population followed by Langford, West Shore Provincial and Colwood.
Table 3 - CFS Per 1000 Population & Percentage of Population
| Jurisdiction | 2018 CFS | 2018 POPULATION | 2018 CFS / 1000 POP | % CFS / POP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colwood | 3718 | 18,262 | 204 | 20% |
| Langford | 11482 | 39,882 | 288 | 29% |
| View Royal | 3214 | 10,455 | 307 | 31% |
| West Shore Provincial | 2288 | 9,613 | 238 | 24% |
| All West Shore Jurisdiction | 20889 | 78,211 | 267 | 27% |
Calls for Service – Top 5
Figure 1 illustrates the Top 5 calls for service in 2018. Traffic incidents were the most prevalent calls followed by Assist Police/Fire/Ambulance calls, Property Related offences, Thefts and Alarms.
Time Consuming Calls
Figure 2 depicts the most time consuming calls in 2018: Disturbances, Assist Police/Fire/Ambulance, Check Well Being, Suicidal Persons and Domestic in Progress.
Criminal Code Offences – UCR Categories
West Shore RCMP respond to a vast array of calls for service, including Criminal Code & non-Criminal Code incidents. The Uniform Crime Reporting Survey (UCRS) categorizes offences. There are eight UCR categories.
Table 4 – Uniform Crime Reporting Survey Categories
| UCR CATEGORY | 2017 ACTUAL | 2018 ACTUAL | FILE COUNT (+/-) | % CHANGE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes Against Persons | 533 | 617 | 84 | 16% |
| Offences Against Property | 1977 | 2388 | 411 | 21% |
| Other Criminal Code Violations | 620 | 755 | 135 | 22% |
| Controlled Drugs & Substances Act Violations | 218 | 210 | -8 | -4% |
| Other Federal Statute Violations | 28 | 19 | -9 | -32% |
| Provincial Statistics Codes | 300 | 331 | 31 | 10% |
| RCMP Statistics Codes | 9132 | 9450 | 318 | 3% |
| Traffic Violations | 371 | 416 | 45 | 12% |
Table 4 shows increases in Crimes Against Persons, Offences Against Property, Other CC Violations, Provincial & RCMP Statistics Codes and Traffic Violations. Decreases occurred in CDSA Violations and Other Federal Statute Violations.
Top 5 Criminal Code Offences – Crimes Against Persons
There were 617 Crimes Against Persons in 2018 compared to 533 offences in 2017, representing a 16% increase (+84 files). Of the 617 offences, Assaults accounted for the highest incidence followed by Uttering Threats, Harassing Communications, Assault with Weapon and Criminal Harassment.
Top 5 Criminal Code Offences – Offences Against Property
Offences Against Property comprise the highest incidence of Criminal Code Offences in West Shore. There was a 21% (+411 files) increase in property related offences in 2018 compared to 2017. Of the 2,388 incidents in 2018, Theft From Vehicle accounted for the highest incidence, followed by Mischief, Shoplifting, Theft – Other and Fraud.
Top 5 Criminal Code Offences – Other Criminal Code Violations
Other CC violations include Cause Disturbance, Breach of Probation, Fail to Appear and Obstruction.
Of the 755 Other CC violations in 2018, Cause Disturbance was the most prevalent violation, representing 38% (289 files) of actual calls for service. Breach/Bail Violations was the second highest violation followed by Breach Probation, Counterfeit Currency and Weapons Possession.
Top 5 Criminal Code Offences – Controlled Drugs & Substances Act Violations
There were 210 CDSA Violations in 2018 compared to 218 in 2017, representing a -4% decrease. Possession violations made up the top CDSA categories with Cannabis possession representing 30.48% of files, followed by Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Other Scheduled I Drugs/Substances, Possession of Cocaine and Possession of Heroin.
TRAFFIC STATISTICS
Traffic related calls represent the highest incidence of all calls for service in West Shore jurisdiction, accounting for 11% of calls in 2018.
Motor Vehicle Collisions
Table 5 - Collisions Comparative Figures
| Type | 2017 | 2018 | % CHANGE |
|---|---|---|---|
| FATAL | 1 | 2 | 100% |
| INJURY | 180 | 200 | 11% |
| NON-INJURY | 924 | 834 | -10% |
| TOTAL | 1105 | 1036 | -6% |
Table 5 shows fatal and injury collisions increased in 2018 (up 100% and 11% respectively). Non-injury collisions decreased by 10% and overall a 6% decrease in collisions.
Top 5 Traffic Violations in 2018:
- Fail to Stop/Remain: 46%
- Impaired Operation of a Motor Vehicle (Alcohol): 23%
- Drive While Disqualified/Suspended: 13%
- Drive Without Care/Consideration: 10%
- Impaired Operation of a Motor Vehicle (Drug): 3%
OTHER STATISTICS
Licensed Premises - Checks
On average in 2018, officers conducted 75 bar walk-throughs. The majority of these walk-throughs were conducted at Darcy’s Pub.
Figure 9 illustrates calls for service at licensed premises in West Shore in 2017 & 2018. Overall, there was a 15% increase in calls for service in 2018 compared to 2017.
MENTAL HEALTH ACT
West Shore RCMP often respond to calls where there is a mental health component. Under the Mental Health Act (MHA), police may apprehend individuals for their protection and for public safety. Individuals apprehended under the MHA are taken to Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria (adults only) or to the Victoria General Hospital (VGH) (youth only) for medical assistance. MHA apprehensions are time consuming as police officers are required to take individuals to a physician for examination.
An upward trend continues with calls for service that have a mental health component. In 2018, there were 1,163 calls representing a 44% increase compared to 809 calls in 2017. These calls included suicidal persons and Mental Health Act apprehensions. In 2018, West Shore RCMP responded to 448 calls for service related to suicidal persons and officers spent 871 hours attending to these calls.
When making an apprehension under the Mental Health Act, police must take the individual to a designated medical facility immediately for assessment by a medical doctor. West Shore RCMP, in collaboration with Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA), captured data relating to hospital wait times for medical staff to assess the patient.
Figure 11 depicts the average hospital wait times per apprehension for 2018. The average time per call indicates West Shore RCMP members spent approximately 1.76 hours per apprehension. Times do not factor in investigation time or transit time. There were 248 apprehensions in 2018.
OUR PLACE THERAPEUTIC RECOVERY COMMUNITY
Our Place Therapeutic Recovery Community, located at 94 Talcott Rd, View Royal, is a long-term treatment facility for men experiencing substance abuse issues. Therapeutic housing is available for 14 – 24 months. As of March 2018, the facility had 9 residents, six of whom are bound by court orders and must abide by a curfew.
Our Place is a secured facility. West Shore RCMP have liaised with the Director to discuss police protocol when attending calls for service. As of April 2019, West Shore RCMP received 9 calls for service at the facility including 5 calls where residents left the facility even though they were on court ordered conditions to remain. This prompted liaison with the Colwood Probation Office and investigations into breaches.
From January 2018 to October 2018 (when the facility operated as Choices Transitional Home earlier in the year), West Shore RCMP responded to 18 calls for service at the facility; of those, there were no reports of residents breaching court orders under the previous operating procedures.
Source: https:www.ourplacesociety.com
STRATEGIC POLICING PRIORITIES – ANNUAL PERFORMANCE PLAN
Annual Performance Plan (APP) 2018 - 2019
West Shore RCMP’s management team works closely with five detachment communities and First Nations Reserves to identify local policing priorities. Each RCMP Detachment in British Columbia is mandated to prepare an Annual Performance Plan that addresses local policing priorities. The APP is designed to be flexible and priorities are revisited and adjusted accordingly.
The six key priorities identified for 2018-2019 were:
- Organized Crime and Drug Trafficking
- Enhancing Road Safety
- Community Engagement Through Education and Prevention Programs
- Enhancing Relationships with Indigenous Communities
- Reducing Property Crime
- Reducing Crimes Against Persons
Organized Crime & Drug Trafficking: Reducing the Threat & Impact of Serious & Organized Crime
HIGHLIGHTS
- Continuous intelligence gathering of organized crime groups by frontline officers and specialized sections allows for intelligence-led policing strategies
- Undercover operations led to identifying drug dealers in the West Shore
- Conducting proactive education and awareness of organized crime groups to detachment members
- Officers were continuously briefed on organized crime throughout the year enabling targeting of offenders
- Identifying & arresting drug traffickers
- 11 drug trafficking charges laid in 2018
- Cocaine is the most prevalent drug seized. This is a change from 2017 where Marijuana was the top drug seized. Since the legalization of Cannabis we have seen a decrease in Marijuana seizures
Traffic Safety: Enhance Road Safety & Reduce Speeding
The West Shore Detachment currently operates a 3 person Traffic Services Unit.
HIGHLIGHTS
- In 2018, 9 West Shore officers received training for Standard Field Sobriety Testing, increasing capacity for drug-impaired driving investigations
- Public awareness campaigns regarding impaired driving included media releases, radio interviews and road blocks
- Monthly traffic enforcement campaigns were launched in high-risk areas and school zones; 25 areas targeted in 2018
- Speeding tickets issued increased from 567 in 2017/2018 to 673 in 2018/2019
- In May 2018, a commercial vehicle safety check stop resulted in 132 written warnings, 202 violation tickets and 25 vehicles towed
Aboriginal Policing – Relationships: Enhance Relationships with Aboriginal / Indigenous Communities
HIGHLIGHTS
- One dedicated First Nations Policing (FNP) officer
- FNP role focuses on fostering relationships specifically with the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations
- Monthly contacts with First Nations communities increased from 96 in 2017 to 268 in 2018
- In 2018 the FNP officer facilitated numerous community initiatives focused on youth including: 3 DARE classes, 3-day youth canoe journey, marine/cold water safety education, bike registry at Songhees Nation, participation in Nights Alive program
- Almost all Indigenous youth attend either Craigflower or Shoreline Middle Schools
Property – Theft: Reduce Property Crimes
The Crime Reduction Unit (CRU) proactively targets chronic property crime offenders and conducts warrant apprehensions. CRU recognizes that chronic property crime offenders often use stolen property to fund drug addictions.
HIGHLIGHTS
- CRU consists of 5 constables, 1 Corporal, overseen by the Sergeant in charge of Serious Crimes
- West Shore RCMP actively monitor individuals on court-ordered curfew or house arrest; frontline officers conduct routine curfew checks and have forwarded Breach charges on 312 people in 2018
- In December 2018 CRU partnered with Bike Unit and Victoria Police Department to investigate thefts from storage units; arrest made with break & enter charge
- CRU undertook two separate undercover operations to recover stolen property posted to Used Victoria; investigations ongoing
- Break & Enter into Businesses: 39 in 2017 -> 50 in 2018
- Auto thefts: 131 in 2017 -> 105 in 2018
- CRU runs a “Bait” car program targeting auto thieves
- Targeted enforcement of prolific property crime offenders
Bike Patrol Unit
In July 2018 West Shore RCMP launched the Bike Patrol Unit (BPU) comprised of 4 officers. Bicycle patrol provides a visible, approachable enforcement presence and allows access to areas not easily accessible by vehicle. Since inception, the BPU has:
- Arrested 50 people with outstanding warrants
- Completed 34 reports to Crown Counsel recommending charges for individuals arrested
Police / Community Relations: Visibility of Police & Community Engagement
HIGHLIGHTS
- Community Policing Services (CPS) focused on visibility with education and prevention programs including DARE, bullying prevention, Millstream Easter Egg hunt, “Cram the Cruiser” (food bank donations), Girl Guide walk and talk with police
- CPS runs Auxiliary Constable program and coordinates volunteers for Speed Watch & Keeping In Touch (KIT)
- CPS heavily involved with Royal Bay and Belmont High Schools and elementary schools; on average at least one school visited per school day
- Several high school talks on Canadian law and policing
- Summer 2018 saw implementation of foot patrols in high visibility areas
KIT program note: KIT volunteers call clients daily (Monday to Saturday, excluding holidays) to check well-being; if concerns arise a police officer will conduct a home visit.
Domestic Violence: Reduce Crimes Against Persons
One of the priorities for the 2017/2018 APP was addressing domestic violence.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Media Relations Officer (MRO) promoted educational campaigns on violence in relationships, what to do, and where to get help
- MRO met with Victim Services to develop an educational campaign for domestic violence
- Educational campaign was week-long with several tweets highlighting contact information for victims, including violence against men
- Increased officer training on best practices investigating violence in relationships
- Undertook quality assurance review to ensure compliance with best practices and referrals to Victim Services
- West Shore RCMP has one dedicated Regional Domestic Violence Unit investigator
ANNUAL PERFORMANCE PLAN (APP) 2019-2020
In consultation with communities and First Nations partners, priorities for 2019-2020 are:
- Organized Crime (Drug Trafficking)
- Objective: Prevent and reduce the threat and impact of serious & organized crime
- Actions: Specialized units brief frontline officers; gather intelligence of OMG members; increase anti-drug trafficking enforcement and source development
- Traffic Safety
- Objective: Enhance road safety – reduce speeding
- Actions: Monthly enforcement campaigns in high risk areas including school zones; increase enforcement of distracted driving
- Police/Community Relations – Visibility of Police
- Objective: Community engagement through education and prevention
- Actions: Bike Patrol and Community Policing to attend public events, educate on Restorative Justice, increase police visibility and public confidence
- Enhance Relationships With Aboriginal/Indigenous Communities
- Objective: Promote and participate in youth-focused programs; participate in cultural events and cross-cultural training; continue relationship building
- Property Crimes - Thefts
- Objective: Reduce property crimes
- Actions: Prolific offender management; regular curfew checks; goal to reduce break and enters to businesses by 10% and theft from motor vehicles by 10%
GREATER VICTORIA POLICE VICTIM SERVICES (GVPVS) – WWW.GVPVS.ORG
Victim Services is a volunteer-based program that works with police to assist people impacted by crime and trauma. Services include:
- Emotional and practical support
- Referrals to government and private services
- Safety plans
- Assistance with Crime Victim Assistance applications and Victim Impact Statements
- Information about the court and criminal justice systems and court accompaniment
- Education on victim rights and services
Recent highlights (Dec 2018/Jan 2019): West Shore RCMP maintained the highest number of referrals to GVPVS; Domestic Assault/Abuse remain the highest percentage of referrals.
Cases Referred by Police Department for Fiscal Year 2018/2019
| Police Department | Cases Referred |
|---|---|
| Saanich | 194 |
| Sidney/North Saanich | 64 |
| Victoria | 94 |
| West Shore | 431 |
| Oak Bay | 21 |
| Central Saanich | 20 |
| CFB Esquimalt | 12 |
| Other | 8 |
| Totals | 844 |
DID YOU KNOW
In 2018, West Shore RCMP received 763 False Abandoned 911 calls and 892 False Alarm calls. Each call required follow up and in many cases, a police visit.
PROLIFIC OFFENDER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (POM)
West Shore RCMP participates in the Prolific Offender Management Program in conjunction with municipal police agencies, Corrections, Probation, Crown and social agencies. POM targets a small proportion of offenders who commit a disproportionate percentage of crime (particularly property crime) through inter-agency collaboration.
POM candidates receive individually tailored support (employment referrals, housing, income assistance, access to mental health and substance abuse treatment). Immediate response to reoffending and breach of conditions includes prompt apprehension and conviction assisted by Crown Counsel using custom POM templates.
Of the thirteen Prolific Offenders in the Greater Victoria Region, West Shore managed 7 offenders in 2018. During 2018:
- All 7 offenders were in custody at some point; 1 offender incarcerated for more than six months, 5 in and out of custody, 1 ceased offending
- Presently West Shore monitors 5 offenders (all currently in the community)
- When these offenders are incarcerated, property crimes (break & enters, auto thefts, thefts from motor vehicles) decrease dramatically
- Together the eight offenders had 211 police contacts during the year
- All suffer from drug and/or alcohol addictions which factor significantly in offending
SOCIAL MEDIA
Website
West Shore RCMP website was updated to reflect Inspector Todd Preston’s appointment. The site includes Police Information Checks, contact info, volunteer programs, services, news releases and a direct link to Crime Stoppers.
Since February 2015, West Shore RCMP has been engaging communities via Twitter (@WestshoreRCMP). The account has the “blue verified badge.” Social media helps provide accurate and timely information directly to community members.
Some metrics:
- Consistently reaching over 6000 profiles and over 90,000 tweet impressions monthly (increase from 2,500 profiles and 50,000 impressions in 2017)
- Top Tweet in December 2018: story about West Shore RCMP saving a life on Christmas Eve with over 6,400 impressions
DID YOU KNOW?
West Shore RCMP’s Twitter followers increased from 5600 in 2018 to 6555 in 2019 & continues to grow daily!
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