The number of vehicles stolen in Lake Country has increased dramatically compared to the past few years.
Vehicle thefts spiked in 2018, as 40 incidents were reported. In 2017, 17 were reported and in 2016, 18 were recorded, according to a Lake Country RCMP report to be presented to council Tuesday night.
Thefts from vehicles have also increased in the last year, but incidents in 2018 were less than in 2016. In 2016, 128 incidents were reported, 107 were reported in 2017 and 123 were reported in 2018, the report said.
Property offences also saw an increase in 2018. They were the main reported offence in the district last year. In 2018, 74 more offences were reported than in 2017. 2016 saw the highest number of property related offences with 491 recorded.
Break and enters to both residences and business also increased last year over 2017—by eight offences for residences and by 16 business-related break and enters. In 2016, 36 residential break and enters were reported and 21 occurred at businesses.
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While collision and impaired driving offences also increased in 2018, the numbers were less than in 2016. Twenty-four accidents with injuries were reported last year, 22 in 2017 and 28 two years ago. For impaired driving accidents, nine happened in 2018, seven in 2017 and 14 in 2016.
Controlled drug and substance act offences were down in 2018, with 20 incidents, compared to 27 in 2017 and 25 in 2016.
Violence in relationship offence numbers was also down slightly last year, with 26 reported, compared to from 28 in 2017 and 27 in 2016 had 27 offences.
Overall service calls to the Lake Country detachment has decreased in the last three years. In 2016, 3,871 calls were reported, in 2017 there were 3,825 and in 2018 there were 3,786.
The RCMP have been contacted for a statement.
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