Thanks to a warmer-than-usual start to the year, the number of car break-ins that happened in St. Albert increased by 63 in the first three months of 2010 over those at the same time in 2009.
In a report presented to city council on May 25, RCMP Insp. Warren Dosko said the number of thefts from cars rose in the first quarter of the year, from 121 thefts in 2009 to 184 this year. Dosko attributed the increase to weather patterns in the first three months of the year, where the usual blisteringly cold conditions were few and far between.
"Lots of times they are looking for something left out," Dosko said in a later interview, adding that most times, a thief will just walk around an area looking for open cars. He said that typically doesn't start happening until the spring or summer.
As a result of the increase of thefts from cars, Dosko said auxiliary constables are going out and checking cars to ensure they are locked and valuables are kept out of sight from any potential robbers. Once the constable has tested the car doors and taken a peek in the car windows, they will leave a report card on the car for the owner to let them know what they need to do to keep their car safe.
He added the city's crime analyst and, thanks to a new position funded by the province, a recently hired officer will work on determining the patterns with the various thefts in the hopes of catching those responsible, which Dosko believes is actually a small number of people.
"We do see certain patterns, what days they are happening on and at what times," he said. "We're really keeping close tabs … if we can get two or three off the street, that has a huge impact."
Dosko added that the thefts weren't particular to any one neighbourhood in St. Albert.
Accidents down
Dosko also informed council that there was a reduction in the number of accidents in the city, another side effect of the warmer winter weather at the start of the year.
"It's the same level of enforcement as last year, the same number of cars as last year," said Dosko. "Weather is the only thing I can see that changed."
Coun. Gareth Jones later agreed with Dosko's weather assessment, saying he noticed a distinct lack of heavy ice and snow on the roads at the start of the year. But he was concerned when he heard about the rise in car break-ins, saying he is usually surprised when he hears of a crime statistic rising in St. Albert.
"We like to think the crime rate is low here, and it is compared to other places, but yes, I was surprised," he said.
Jones said he had faith in Dosko and the city's RCMP detachment, saying he felt the inspector has proven himself to council in the past. However, he added that the hiring of a new crime analyst would help with catching those responsible for the rash of thefts.
"It does help with the constables out on the street," said Jones. "We did miss having a crime analyst."
Although Coun. James Burrows said he was sorry to hear more residents were seeing their vehicles broken into, he wasn't too shocked to hear about the rise. He recalled an e-mail from a resident he and other councillors received earlier this year, discussing the topic.
"Various crimes will go up and down," he said. "Once winter is over, people will go out and do stupid things."
