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NANAIMO REGION
Reconciliation to follow residential school truth
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Series on reconciliation and engagement with Canada’s indigenous people set to be held at VIU this fall. A3, A8
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The newspaper of record for Nanaimo and region since 1874 || Wednesday, June 3, 2015
» Policing
CITY
Number of violent crimes decreasing in Nanaimo area
Elected officials took in an extra $28,000 SPENCER ANDERSON DAILY NEWS
Crime statistics from the Nanaimo RCMP show incidents of violent crime are decreasing, but property crimes are increasing.
[SPENCER ANDERSON/DAILY NEWS]
Property crimes like theft on uptick in city SPENCER ANDERSON DAILY NEWS
C
rime statistics from the Nanaimo RCMP show calls for service in the city spiked in the first three months of 2015 to 8,492 compared to 7,967 over the same period last year. However, the figures suggest a more complex picture of the frequency and types of crimes in the city. For example, the number of assaults (116 between January and March) has remain virtually unchanged compared to the first quarter of 2014. But that number also represents a five-year low for new assault cases, after a peak of 156 in 2013. Weapons offences in the first quarter have also held steady over the past three years at 53 incidents, after increasing from 34 in 2011.
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“We’ve been seeing a spike in property crime for a while now.” Mark Fisher, Nanaimo RCMP
There are promising trends in the figures. One is declining incidents of violence in relationships, including spousal abuse, an area where the RCMP has invested additional police resources in recent years. Total incidents were reduced to 119 so far this year, marking a decrease from 138 in 2014 and a five-year spike of 159 in 2013. Another trend is the decline of impaired driving incidents and immediate roadside driving prohibitions issued by police to 64, the lowest number since 2012.
Thefts from vehicles also dropped to 266 from the five year high of 353 in the first quarter of 2013. But vehicle thefts more than doubled from two years ago to reach 101 incidents — a five-year high — in the this year’s first quarter. Residential break and enters also climbed from 81 last year to 105 in the first part of 2015 — another five-year high. Nanaimo RCMP Supt. Mark Fisher said the statistics show a mixed set of results for crime in the city, with violent crimes against people decreasing but property crimes like theft on the uptick. “We’ve been seeing a spike in property crime for a while now,” said Fisher, the officer in charge of the Nanaimo RCMP detachment.
Fisher said the rash of property crimes play into the higher volume of calls to the RCMP. “That’s a contributor to it for sure, as well as some mental health issues” police are called to deal with, he said. Fisher said police have seen a five per cent increase in calls each year for the last two years. The higher workload would be enough to keep four additional police officers busy, he said. “It puts pressures on resources for sure,” he said. Spencer.Anderson @nanaimodailynews.com 250-729-4255 » We want to hear from you. Send comments on this story to letters@nanaimodailynews.com. Letters must include daytime phone number and hometown.
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Tilray CEO Greg Engel wants to improve the image of the cannabis industry, which he said has been ‘tainted’ by its history as an illegal drug. » Nanaimo Region, A3
Fifty-two yachts and their crews will race around Vancouver Island in a nine-leg, point-to-point race for the championship, which leaves Nanaimo on Saturday. » Sports, B2
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Total pay for Nanaimo’s elected officials increased by more than $28,000 in 2014 compared to the previous year, according to a statement of financial information prepared by the city. City council members collected $383,066.83 in pay and taxable benefits in 2014, in addition to $54,891 in expenses. In 2013, total pay was $354,652.98, however, total expenses claimed by officials were higher at $57,493.98. A large part of the increase is accounted for by last November’s election, where five new council members were added onto the city’s payroll. Annual pay increases also drove up pay to elected officials. Former mayor John Ruttan was the highest-paid elected official on council last year, earning $88,827. Bill McKay, who was a city councillor for most of 2014 but became mayor during December, earned $39,134. The remaining council members earned between the low and mid-$30,000 range. On the high end were councillors Jim Kipp ($37,089), Diane Brennan ($36,189) and Bill Bestwick ($35,583). Former councillors Ted Greves, Diana Johnstone, Fred Pattje and George Anderson earned salaries ranging from $32,104 to $33,718. New city councillors Jerry Hong, Bill Yoachim, Wendy Pratt, Ian Thorpe and Gord Fuller were paid much less due to being elected in late 2014, and earned between $2,566 and $2,704 each. Council pay increases were set by a policy approved by council in 2012, which sets mayor and councillor pay at the median rate from 12 other B.C. municipalities closest to Nanaimo in population; six above and six below. The policy was set to end in 2014. Spencer.Anderson @nanaimodailynews.com 250-729-4255
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