The Moose Jaw Police Service has seen a slight decrease in overall crime in the city compared to last year. This is according to the May statistical extract that was presented to the Moose Jaw Board of Police Commissioners this week. 

There have been 195 crimes against the person offences up to May 31 of this year, compared to 232 offences during that same time period last year. 

Police Chief Rick Bourassa explained that assaults, however, were up because of the pandemic. 

"Sometimes the stressors exhibit themselves in ways that they wouldn't normally exhibit themselves and that’s interpersonal violence,” Bourassa said. “We do investigate and take the action that we should be taking.” 

Crimes against property saw a slight decrease of 4.1 per cent compared to 2020. There were 462 total offenses year-to-date for the month of May compared to 482 offences in 2020 during that same time period. 

Specifically, the police service saw a 7.7 per cent decrease in break and enters and 33.3 per cent decrease the vehicle thefts. 

When it comes to pandemic responses, Moose Jaw Police were on par with last year. A small freedom convoy still takes place every Saturday in the city, but otherwise, Bourassa feels that rallies are starting to slow down. 

"Across the province in the last few weeks, the number of rallies seems to have abated somewhat. We have not had a rally here for some time now,” Bourassa said. 

There were 74 pandemic responses year-to-date this year as well as last year. 

Finally, the police saw a slight increase of 1.4 per cent in overall calls for service. Bourassa added that crime only makes up about 25 per cent of their workload.