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RCMP report dropping crime rates in Houston

Over the last three years, RCMP statistics show decreases in assaults, property crime, break and enters and alcohol-related crime.
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RCMP Sergeant Stephen Rose presents to Houston council about Detachment changes and statistics.

Crime in Houston is dropping in all categories.

That’s what RCMP Sergeant Stephen Rose told Houston council last Tuesday.

Over the last three years, RCMP statistics show decreases in assaults, property crime, break and enters and alcohol-related crime.

Police focused on traffic enforcement this year, a priority set by Houston mayor and council.

The goal was for every officer to issue five warnings or tickets each month, and Sgt. Rose says they are exceeding that.

In the past quarter between July 1 and September 30, police stopped 161 drivers, issuing warnings or tickets.

Police also ran two formal road blocks, checking 120 vehicles for sobriety and taking 13 impaired drivers off the road, Sgt. Rose said.

Police have also made significant progress in decreasing calls from a particular property in town, which was a significant source of calls in past years.

Sgt. Rose says they worked with the landlord and calls have dropped from 46 in 2012 down to seven at that property in 2014.

But Sgt. Rose says the trouble has moved to Pearson Road, where calls have increased from four in 2012 to 15 in 2014.

“Overall, crime numbers are falling,” Sgt. Rose said, adding that the drop in crime is consistent across the province.

The only increase police are seeing is in unfounded and accidental 9-1-1 calls, and Sgt. Rose says he doesn’t know why.

Doubled since last year, these calls are called abandoned 9-1-1s and take up a lot of police time.

“We still have to go and find that caller and confirm that there is nobody in need,” Sgt. Rose said.

He adds that if people misdial, they should stay on the line and explain to the dispatcher that the call is a misdial.

Then, even if police have to attend, they can at least prioritize the call with other calls for service.