Masset RCMP Sergeant Jeffrey Lance presented Masset council with the 2024 annual report on Jan. 27.
The total files opened was down by just under four per cent. “There is not a lot of reason to it,” Sergeant Lance said to the council. The charges laid were down by 10 files, or 15 per cent. Assaults were down by 30 per cent. “Which is outstanding, and I wish we could take all the credit for it. The Liquor Act continues to be our largest file generator, and largely due to intoxicated individuals in public places.” he said.
While the numbers, in general, have declined, 2024 saw 82 incidents of liquor offences, with 27 cases of impaired driving and 47 cases of assault. “Within the assaults, alcohol continues to be a problem.” he said.
A total of 1,383 files opened with the detachment in 2024, with the busiest time of the year being the summer months when social events and tourist traffic increase. The fourth quarter is the slowest time of the year. “We don’t see a lot of calls for service,” he said.
For the past four years, the 2024 file count is the lowest, with 2021 and 2023 coming in second with a single report difference. In 2022, over 1,600 files were opened by the detachment. “Looking at the system, there wasn’t anything outstanding other than we all got out of Covid jail.” Sgt. Lance explained
“When I looked up these particular file counts, it compared us to DG, Bella Bella, and other smaller communities.”
Sgt. Lance highlighted the ongoing concern over fentanyl and explained to the council that B.C. is a source province for illicit production and distribution.
Between Jan. 2020 and Oct. 2024, organized crime contributed to 10,950 unregulated drug deaths in B.C.; of those deaths, fentanyl was detected in 9,321 victims.
“The toxicity of the drug and the unregulated drug supply kills people; there is no way to sugarcoat this,” he told council.