Property crimes are down, but crimes against persons like assault, threats, and criminal harassment are up in the Blackfalds area. 

That, according to the 2nd quarter RCMP update presented at last night’s Blackfalds Town council meeting.

Staff Sergeant Ken Morrison said the economy played a factor in the increase in calls in crimes against persons.

“It’s hard to say particularly what the reason behind it is. I think we can safely say that some of it is, due to the economy, the way the economy is currently. A lot of people are out of work, people become frustrated, and often resort to alcohol. And, as a result, problems occur.”

Morrison says he is excited to have two new General Investigative Section (GIS) officers on duty by next year; something he says will help greatly in long term investigations in the area.

“Those will augment current staff, by being a plain clothes unit,that specifically tackles the more prolific crimes in the area, and takes the time to investigate those more thoroughly and properly. Something that, often a general duty police officers can’t do, because they are going from call to call.”

One of the new GIS officers was paid for by Lacombe County, and they are expected to be staffed by early January, while the second GIS officer paid for by Red Deer County, Morrison hopes to have staffed and on duty by July 2018.

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