MESSAGE FROM THE OFFICER IN CHARGE

I have been the Officer in Charge of West Shore for just over a year and half. During my time here, the West Shore detachment has ushered in many changes and advancements in our approach to policing. The renovation that began last year is largely complete with only a few logistical tasks remaining. We have been exploring how we can be more innovative in policing. One of the biggest changes we have made is to install in-car video surveillance in all of our marked police vehicles. This technology assists officers in gathering evidence and creates more transparency and accountability in the investigational process.

We are proud to say we have a community-focused mindset and make it a priority to address the concerns of West Shore citizens. Meeting regularly with community leaders allows me to build close working relationships with our partners. These relationships are essential; as we get to know the communities’ policing needs we can apply specific and unique policing strategies to the unique communities in West Shore. These strategies are reflected in the recent creation of units such as the Organized Crime & Drug Unit, which focuses on organized crime and the drug trade within the West Shore but also across jurisdictions and often with neighbouring agencies, and the Bike Patrol Unit who provide enhanced visibility, safety and enforcement in more isolated settings. We have also added police officers to existing units like General Duty (frontline policing), Traffic Unit and our Community Policing Unit. Additionally, we increased the number of support staff who are integral to our service delivery.

The West Shore is the fastest growing jurisdiction on Vancouver Island, which inevitably has led to an increase in calls for service. In 2019, we had a 18% increase in call volume as compared to 2018. The close relationship we have built with community leaders allows us to communicate the increased demands on policing resources. Community leaders have responded by supporting West Shore Detachment’s growth. In 2019, we increased the total number of officers serving the West Shore Detachment to 88 officers.

In the coming years, as the community grows in size, so too will the need for enhanced policing services. I believe community safety is a shared responsibility and we will continue to work with our community leaders and rise to the challenge of providing safety services to the West Shore.

Sincerely,

Insp. Todd Preston Officer in Charge West Shore RCMP

TABLE OF CONTENTS

MESSAGE FROM THE OFFICER IN CHARGE.......................................................................................................1 TABLE OF CONTENTS......................................................................................................................................2 WEST SHORE RCMP........................................................................................................................................3 STATISTICS.....................................................................................................................................................4 STRATEGIC POLICING PRIORITIES – ANNUAL PERFORMANCE PLAN................................................................13 GREATER VICTORIA POLICE VICTIM SERVICES (GVPVS) – WWW.GVPVS.ORG .................................................21 PROLIFIC OFFENDER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (POM).................................................................................22 SOCIAL MEDIA .............................................................................................................................................23 STATS & FACTS.............................................................................................................................................24

WEST SHORE RCMP

RCMP & WEST SHORE COMMUNITIES

West Shore RCMP proudly serves approximately 81,346 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.

West Shore is situated in a beautiful location between the Malahat and the Cities of Victoria and Saanich. West Shore has one of the fastest rising populations in the area thanks to lower housing costs and increasing amenities.

Eighty-eight sworn officers, one civilian member, and thirty-seven civilian personnel staffed West Shore RCMP in 2019 Together they handled 23,901 Calls for Service (CFS), an average of 65 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 2 officers to VIIMCU, 1 officer to RDVU and 1 officer to FIS (Table 1).

Table 1 - Secondments

In addition, West Shore Detachment provides 6 officers to the Vancouver Island RCMP Tactical Team (VITT), 2 officers as Crisis Negotiators, and 1 officer to the Vancouver Island RCMP Emergency Response Team (ERT). We also have 2 officers dedicated to Police Dog Service (PDS) and access to 2 Criminal Drug Interdictions dogs (a dog used to intercept drug trafficking in vehicles) based at West Shore and also providing service to Shawnigan Lake and Duncan RCMP detachments.

West Shore RCMP works with & receives support from other Provincial Units and RCMP sections including the Integrated Road Safety Unit (IRSU), RCMP Air Services, RCMP Explosive Disposal Unit (EDU), Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU), RCMP Emergency Response Team (ERT), Vancouver Island Underwater Recovery Team (URT), RCMP Special I and Federal Serious and Organized Crime (FSOC) teams, E Division Communications and E Division Traffic Services.

STATISTICS

TOTAL GENERAL OCCURRENCES

Table 2 depicts the total general occurrences in each West Shore municipality, district & First Nations Reserve (FNR) for 2018 & 2019, along with the file count (+/-) & percent change.

Table 2 - 2018/2019 General Occurrences Comparative Figures

West Shore’s 2019 general occurrences increased by 18% compared to 2018. Colwood, Esquimalt Nation, Langford, Malahat area, Songhees Nation and View Royal saw increases in the number of occurrences while Highlands and Metchosin saw decreases.

CALLS FOR SERVICE & POPULATION

Table 3 depicts the calls for service per 1000 persons and the percentage of calls per population for the municipalities, provincial areas and all West Shore.

Table 3 - CFS Per 1000 Population & Percentage of Population

Langford had the highest number of calls per 1000 persons (327 calls per 1000 persons) and as a percentage of the population followed by View Royal, Colwood and West Shore Provincial.

CALLS FOR SERVICE – TOP 5

Some calls for service are more prevalent than other types and some calls tend to require more time and resources from initial response to conclusion.

Traffic incidents were the most prevalent calls followed by Breaches, Assist Police/Fire/Ambulance calls, Check Well Being and Property related offences. Traffic incidents include, but are not limited to, driving complaints, insurance violations, seatbelts, speeding, erratic/dangerous driving and road rage reports.

Check Well Being calls were the most time-consuming call type followed by Domestic In Progress, Suicidal Person, Assist Police/Fire/Ambulance and Traffic Incidents.

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) serves as a guide in coding each offence or violation type.

Table 4 - Charges by UCR Category

In 2019, West Shore investigators recommended 1,462 charges to Crown Counsel. Table 4 shows the number of 2018/2019 investigations grouped by UCR category where Crown approved charge(s) or where Police recommended charges, but Crown declined to approve the charge(s). It is important to note that there may be more than one charge per investigation. Criminal charge files may contain multiple counts or additional accused that have been charged with a criminal offence. This file count represents files where at least one criminal charge was recommended by police for charge approval.

TOP 5 CRIMINAL CODE OFFENCES – CRIMES AGAINST PERSONS

There were 1,157 Crimes Against Persons in 2019. Of the 1,157 offences, Assaults accounted for the highest incidence of offences followed by Uttering Threats, Harassing Communications, Sexual Assault 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 were 2,848 Offences Against Property in 2019. Of the 2,848 offences, Mischief accounted for the highest incidence of offences, followed by Theft From Vehicle, Theft – Other, Shoplifting and Fraud.

TOP 5 CRIMINAL CODE OFFENCES – OTHER CRIMINAL CODE VIOLATIONS

Other Criminal Code Violations (Other CC) consists of a variety of violations that do not fall under Crimes Against Persons or Offences Against Property. Other CC violations include, but are not limited to, Cause Disturbance, Breach of Probation, Fail to Appear and Obstruction.

Of the 1,427 Other CC violations in 2019, Cause Disturbance was the most prevalent violation, representing 42.19% of files. Breach/Bail Violations was the second highest violation followed by Fail to Appear, Breach of Probation and Weapons Possession.

TOP 5 CRIMINAL CODE OFFENCES – CONTROLLED DRUGS & SUBSTANCES ACT VIOLATIONS (CDSA)

There were 202 CDSA Violations in 2019. The top 5 CDSA violations are Possession Other Schedule 1 Drugs, Possession of Methamphetamine, Trafficking Other CDSA, Trafficking Cocaine and Cocaine Possession. Drug possession violations typically occur in conjunction with other offences (e.g. property crimes).

TRAFFIC STATISTICS

Traffic related calls represent the highest incidence of all calls for service in West Shore jurisdiction, accounting for 8% of calls in 2019. Traffic related calls include, but are not limited to, Fail to Stop, Insurance Violations, Collisions, Impaired Operation of a Motor Vehicle and Driving While Prohibited.

In 2019, West Shore RCMP received 957 collision reports.

Graduated symbols highlight the locations where multiple crashes occurred. Being knowledgeable about the high crash locations assists West Shore RCMP to engage in proactive enforcement activities at those locations.

TOP 5 CRIMINAL TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS

Impaired Operation Motor Vehicle by Alcohol was the most prevalent followed by Impaired Operation Motor Vehicle by Drug, Impaired Operation Motor Vehicle by Alcohol & Drug, Driving While Prohibited and Fail/Refuse Demand (Alcohol).

OTHER STATISTICS

LICENSED PREMISES - CHECKS

The majority of bars and nightclubs are in downtown Victoria, however; West Shore hosts several establishments that are open late and are popular drinking locations. In 2019, officers conducted 95 bar-walks at licensed establishments, representing a 25% increase compared to 2018. The majority of the bar-walks were conducted at Darcy’s Pub and Bucky’s Taphouse.

Licensed drinking establishments sometimes generate activity requiring a police response. Overall, there was a 15% increase in calls for service at licensed establishments in 2019 compared to 2018. With the population growth and the opening of new liquor establishments, we may see even further increases in calls for service at these locations.

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 have a mental health component. In 2019, there were 1,296 calls representing an 11% increase compared to 1,163 calls in 2018. These calls included suicidal persons and Mental Health Act apprehensions. In 2019, West Shore RCMP responded to 502 calls for service that were related to suicidal persons and officers spent 1,247 hours attending to these types of calls.

When making an apprehension under the Mental Health Act, the law requires a police officer to take an individual to a designated medical facility immediately for assessment by a medical doctor.

The average time per call indicates West Shore RCMP members spent approximately 1.79 hours per apprehension. Times do not factor in investigation time or transit time. There were 297 apprehensions in 2019.

NEW ROAD THERAPEUTIC RECOVERY COMMUNITY

New Roads Therapeutic Recovery Community (formerly known as Our Place), located at 94 Talcott Rd, View Royal, is a long-term treatment facility for men who are experiencing substance abuse issues. Therapeutic housing is available for 14 – 24 months. As of January 2020, the facility housed 21 residents, 13 of whom are bound by court orders and must abide by a curfew. The number of residents is expected to grow to 50 in 2020. New Roads is a secured facility. West Shore RCMP have protocols with the Director of the facility when attending calls for service.

In 2019, West Shore RCMP received 26 calls for service at the facility. The majority of these calls were regarding residents who had breached their court conditions and left the property, or were causing a disturbance at the property and were asked to leave by staff. This number includes 19 calls where staff reported residents were not abiding by their conditions of release and were breaching their court orders largely by leaving the facility although they were on court ordered conditions to remain at the facility. The West Shore RCMP has liaised with the Colwood Probation Office to submit charges against residents breaching their conditions.

STRATEGIC POLICING PRIORITIES – ANNUAL PERFORMANCE PLAN

ANNUAL PERFORMANCE PLAN (APP) 2019 - 2020

West Shore RCMP’s management team works closely with our five distinct 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. Through consultation with elected officials and senior staff, the West Shore RCMP APP focuses on the issues identified throughout the region. The APP is designed to be flexible to the changing needs of the communities and the priorities are continually revisited and adjusted accordingly.

The six key priorities identified for 2019-2020 fiscal year were Organized Crime and Drug Trafficking, Enhancing Road Safety, Community Engagement Through Education and Prevention Programs, Enhancing Relationships with Indigenous communities, Reducing Property Crime.

ORGANIZED CRIME & DRUG TRAFFICKING: REDUCING THE THREAT & IMPACT OF SERIOUS & ORGANIZED CRIME

HIGHLIGHTS

• In October 2019, the West Shore RCMP created a dedicated Organized Crime & Drug Unit (OCDU), which is comprised of 4 Constables and 1 Corporal, overseen by the Sergeant in Serious Crimes Unit.
• The OCDU identified several drug dealers in the West Shore through the use of undercover operations
• In June 2019, the Crime Reduction Unit (CRU) executed a search warrant on a View Royal basement suite being operated as a “butane shatter lab”. High end laboratory equipment, shatter and over 100 pounds of marijuana were recovered. The suspect in this offence was charged with several offences under the Cannabis Act.
• In September 2019, the OCDU lead a cross-jurisdictional drug trafficking investigation in which they executed 5 simultaneous search warrants in Victoria. Two drug dealers were arrested and over 300 grams of powder & crack cocaine was seized.
• In October 2019, the OCDU wrapped up a two-month long investigation. The unit executed 3 search warrants and recovered $3,400 cash, 275 grams of powder cocaine, 30 grams of crack cocaine and seized 2 vehicles. Charges were recommended against two individuals.
• In November 2019, the OCDU received information from the public regarding suspicious activity taking place at a residence in Langford. The unit conducted surveillance and executed 2 search warrants, seizing trafficking quantities of cocaine and approximately $2,000 in cash along with a conducted energy weapon.

TRAFFIC SAFETY: ENHANCE ROAD SAFETY & REDUCE SPEEDING

The West Shore Detachment currently operates a four person Traffic Services Unit. The Traffic Services Unit regularly engage with detachment officers by holding educational sessions focusing on training and proper application of the law and provincial statutes. Along with traffic enforcement, the unit investigates vehicle collisions resulting in fatalities.

HIGHLIGHTS

• In 2019, 1 additional police officer was added to the Traffic Services Unit bringing the unit up to 3 Constables and 1 Corporal.
• Monthly traffic enforcement campaigns were launched in 2018 for high-risk areas and school zones. These campaigns continued in 2019 and have been successful in getting motorists to slow down in areas that were identified as high risk zones for speeding. An example of speed enforcement in West Shore is reflected during the first quarter of 2019, (Jan-March) when 179 speeding tickets were issued.
• Responding to concerns expressed by the community, the unit focused on distracted driving and issued 79 tickets for distracted driving in 2019.

West Shore communities identified high-risk driving behaviour like distracted driving and impaired driving as areas of concern. To address this, Traffic Services and frontline police officers targeted high-risk areas such as school zones and heavy traffic areas in each of the West Shore communities.

ABORIGINAL POLICING – RELATIONSHIPS: ENHANCE RELATIONSHIPS WITH ABORIGINAL / INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES

West Shore RCMP has one dedicated First Nations Policing (FNR) officer. The FNP officer’s role focuses on fostering relationships with Indigenous People in West Shore, specifically the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations.

HIGHLIGHTS

• In 2019, the FNP officer participated in 28 outreach activities focusing on youth and cultural events.
• The FNP officer facilitated and participated in numerous community initiatives which focused on youth in the First Nations communities including:
  • Tour de Rock meet and greet with Shoreline and Craigflower schools;
  • The FNP officer is spearheading an exciting new outreach project called Survivor Kids where youth will participate in a police led survival camp in summer 2020.
• Almost all of the Indigenous youth attend either Craigflower or Shoreline Middle School. Cst. Brewer organized the West Shore Hockey Cup; a friendly game of middle school floor hockey for kids vs. cops. The games took place at lunch, and have been very well attended and received on both ends. These games are popular and have spread to other middle schools in the West Shore.
• Our FNP officer routinely meets with Chiefs & representatives from the Songhees & Esquimalt Nations to discuss & implement crime prevention programs & identify community priorities.
• In addition to the community outreach, the FNP officer has also focused on traffic safety education and enforcement. The FNP officer issued 130 violation tickets to drivers both on and off reserves (near the nation land) to ensure drivers were abiding by road rules.

National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebrations. Our FNP officer sought permission to come ashore during the canoe protocol ceremony on June 21st, 2019.

PROPERTY – THEFT: REDUCE PROPERTY CRIMES

West Shore RCMP’s Crime Reduction Unit (CRU) is comprised of 1 Corporal and 4 Constables and is overseen by the Sergeant in charge of Serious Crimes.

HIGHLIGHTS

• West Shore RCMP actively monitor individuals placed on court ordered curfew or house arrest. Frontline officers also take part in this by conducting routine curfew checks to ensure offenders compliance with court ordered conditions; a number of these checks have resulted in breach charges.
• In July 2019 the CRU unit investigated a string of fraudulent credit card transactions that took place after 2 separate wallets were stolen from vehicles. The unit backtracked the purchases and obtained video surveillance from 6 separate businesses discovering that one suspect was responsible for using the stolen card; the suspect was arrested and charged.
• In December 2019, the Crime Reduction unit tracked down and arrested a chronic offender who had multiple warrants for their arrest. The warrants related to fraud, forged credit card and breach of probation as well as violent offences like forcible confinement and uttering threats.
• CRU undertook an investigation and executed a warrant on a suspect’s property where a Facebook Market place sale went wrong and the suspect brandished a Conducted Energy Weapon. The weapon was seized by police and the suspect was arrested.
• CRU also runs a “Bait” car program that targets auto thieves.
• There was no change in the number of Break-in’s to businesses; there were 50 in 2018 and 50 in 2019.
• Theft from motor vehicles decreased from 629 in 2018 to 525 in 2019.

BIKE PATROL UNIT

West Shore RCMP’s Bike Patrol Unit (BPU) is comprised of 1 Corporal and 3 Constables. The unit has been in operation since July 2018 and has had a number of successes since its implementation.

Bicycle patrol enforcement limits the carbon footprint of police vehicles and the officers are considered more approachable by the community than officers in a vehicle. The Bike Patrol Unit is a uniformed, visible, enforcement presence that conducts year round bicycle patrol in areas not easily accessible by vehicle. This mode of transportation allows police officers to respond to situations quickly and quietly day or night. Police officers are able to utilize all their senses in detecting illegal activity.

This unit has dedicated its resources to issues raised by the General Duty Watches, West Shore Serious Crime Unit and the Crime Analyst and from the community. The unit targets prolific offenders by zeroing in on property crime patterns (i.e. increasing their patrols in areas where vehicle break-ins are predominant). The ultimate goal is to ensure safe homes and communities and reduce crime in the West Shore.

Since the Bike Patrol Unit came into effect, they have arrested over 80 suspects wanted for criminal offences. Additionally, the unit has recommended over 120 criminal charges to Crown Counsel for criminal offences occurring in West Shore.

POLICE / COMMUNITY RELATIONS: VISIBILITY OF POLICE & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

West Shore RCMP’s Community Policing & Crime Prevention Unit is comprised of 1 Corporal and 2 Constables, increasing to 3 Constables by spring 2020. The unit actively engages with the West Shore communities through the delivery of a variety of educational & prevention programs and fundraising initiatives.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Community Policing Services (CPS) focused on visibility with programs of education and prevention throughout 2019.
• In December 2019, the unit organized an all-girls basketball tournament dubbed the “West Shore Mountie Cup”. The event was aimed at increasing visibility and communications with youth in the community and appealing to youth as a potential employer.
• In 2019, the unit recognized there was a rise in young offenders who were being arrested for crimes like graffiti; the unit identified at-risk youth and hosted a town hall inviting parents and youth to come forward and learn about family support resources available in West Shore.
• CPS also runs the Auxiliary Constable program and hosts a number of community volunteers who dedicate their time to programs such as Speed Watch & Keeping In Touch (outreach to the elderly in our community).
• CPS has been heavily involved in attending Royal Bay and Belmont High Schools and liaising with students and teachers at elementary schools in the West Shore. On average, at least one school in West Shore is visited once per school day by a CPS officer.
• There were several information presentations to high school students regarding Canadian law and policing. These presentations were also made to the new international students at Royal Roads University. The presentation was aimed at familiarizing students who are new to Canada with Canadian Law and how and when to access policing services.
• The Cannabis Liaison officer conducted several school talks (for both parents and students) and presented to the West Shore membership about the new Cannabis Control legislation. The training was valuable for our members who were new to the legislative changes.

GREATER VICTORIA POLICE VICTIM SERVICES (GVPVS) – WWW.GVPVS.ORG

Victim Services is a volunteer based program that works with police to assist people that have been impacted by crime and trauma. Their vision is to help victims achieve a state of well-being and assist in their recovery. They provide services to victims of crime or trauma who may or may not have reported the crime to police or be involved with the criminal justice system. Their clients can include children as well as adults.

Victim services:

• Provide emotional and practical support;
• Make referrals to government and private services;
• Devise safety plans;
• Assist with Crime Victim Assistance applications;
• Assist with Victim Impact Statements;
• Provide information about the court and criminal justice systems;
• Accompany victims to court;
• Provide education on victim rights and services.

Recent Highlights from the GVPVS Program Director’s Report for December 2018/January 2019

Case referrals by police department reflect a pattern of West Shore RCMP maintaining the highest number of referred cases. Domestic Assault/Abuse remain the highest percentage of referrals made to GVPVS.

CASES REFERRED BY POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2019/2020

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 various Social Agencies throughout the Southern Island Region. The POM program was created due to the emerging consensus that a small proportion of offenders commits a disproportionate percentage of crime; particularly property crime. POM emphasizes interagency collaboration as a means to effectively target these individuals, reduce re-offending and increase community safety.

POM candidates are selected based on several factors including the number of police contacts and are then supported by an integrated team of service providers. Persons selected to participate in the POM program receive individually tailored support including employment referrals, housing and income assistance and assistance with access to mental health and substance abuse treatment. Immediate response to reoffending or breaching conditions is the second component to the strategy with prompt apprehension and conviction with the assistance of Crown Counsel who manages files based on custom prepared POM templates from police.

Of the twelve Prolific Offenders in the Greater Victoria Region, West Shore managed 5 offenders in 2019. During 2019, 4 of 5 offenders were in custody; 1 offender was incarcerated for more than six months of the year, 4 were in and out of custody throughout the year and one offender ceased offending. Presently, West Shore monitors 4 offenders; 1 is currently in custody and 3 are currently in the community. It is notable that when these offenders are incarcerated, property crimes such as break & enters, auto thefts and thefts from motor vehicles decrease dramatically.

Although four of the five prolific offenders were in custody throughout 2019, together they had 192 police contacts during the year. All the offenders also suffer from drug &/or alcohol addictions, which factors significantly in their criminal offending.

SOCIAL MEDIA

WEBSITE

West Shore RCMP website is continuously updated to reflect the latest policing news. The website contains information pertaining to some of the most commonly asked questions including Police Information Checks, contact information, volunteer and other programs and the various services West Shore RCMP Detachment offers. The public is able to view emerging West Shore RCMP news releases and there is a direct link to Crime Stoppers.

TWITTER

Since February 2015, West Shore RCMP has been actively engaging the communities on social media via Twitter (@WestshoreRCMP). The West Shore RCMP’s Twitter account has the “blue verified badge”, meaning that Twitter reviewed the account and verified that it is an authentic account of public interest.

In 2019 we were able to solve numerous investigations by enlisting the help in identifying suspects. In some cases, the suspects identified were responsible for multiple crimes. We are grateful for our followers on social media who reached out to police and assisted with these identifications. The West Shore RCMP’s Twitter account reaches over 7000 profiles and have over 129,000 tweet impressions every month. That’s a drastic increase from 2017 where we were reaching 2500 profiles and 50,000 tweet impressions.

STATS & FACTS

The West Shore RCMP Annual Report provides an overview of various statistics & policing in West Shore & is not comprehensive. The statistics presented in this report were retrieved from RCMP E Division Business Intelligence and the British Columbia Police Records Information Management Environment (PRIME) & are accurate on the retrieval date. All data is preliminary and is subject to change based on investigational factors and data quality processes. In cases of discrepancy with previous/subsequent data, the most current data will take precedence. Data collection utilized “most serious offence” scoring consistent with Statistics Canada and the British Columbia Ministry of Justice (Police Services Division (PSD)) data collection practices. Police Services Division provides population data. Collision data is not complete as it only includes files where police attended and not all collisions reported to the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC). Impaired Operation denotes impaired by alcohol &/or drugs.

Founded occurrences gathered as of January 2019 include offences where it has been determined that the reported incident did occur or was attempted, or there was no credible evidence to confirm that the incident did not take place. Prior to 2019, only offences that were proven to have occurred were included in founded occurrences. This change in reporting may result in an increase when comparing 2019 founded occurrences with reports from previous years.