This quarter's annual report revealed an increase in total reported police-related incidents (Elliott Knopp/meadowlakeNOW Staff)

By Elliott Knopp

RCMP Quarterly

Meadow Lake RCMP quarterly report: reported incidents increase from 2020 totals

Apr 29, 2021 | 5:00 PM

The Meadow Lake RCMP has released its quarterly report outlining the detachment’s calls for service over the last three months. Between January and March of this year, local law enforcement has handled 1,506 total reported incidents, an increase of 147 cases from the same period in 2020.

S/Sgt. Ryan How explained while the rise in reports is concerning on the surface, there are several elements that can make the statistics appear more alarming than they really are.

“The total number of incidents increasing is caused by multiple factors and the bare statistics alone don’t tell the entire story. Numbers are influenced by things as simple as an increase in traffic tickets or the recent scam calls being reported,” How said.

Provincial traffic offences lead all categories in total reported incidents with 318 recorded cases. The figure indicates a significant increase in related offences as there were only 228 instances in the previous year. Provincial traffic violations have seen an increase each year since 2019 when the total number of recorded incidents for the quarter was set at 57.

While the total number of reported incidents for the quarter has risen from last year’s totals, several categories noticed a decline. Some of the categories only saw a minimal decrease, but thefts under $5,000 saw a 31-case decrease from 46 offences in 2020, and impaired driving dropped 18 cases from 41 incidents.

Freedom and Flexibility

How App-Based Work Creates Economic Opportunity

Dec 12, 2025

Riderville

Now for the Hard Part

Dec 10, 2025

Seniors Scene

Christmas is Coming

Dec 09, 2025

How clarified while the decrease in thefts and impaired driving appears to be a positive development, the concern is that residents may not be reporting minor incidents to police.

“While Meadow Lake RCMP are dedicating all resources to gang suppression, we still require these complaints and rely on the information provided. We encourage the public to use the new online crime reporting tool launched provincially in March, or to contact the detachment.”

This quarter’s mental health related incidents have continued to rise from their 2019 total of 21 cases to 36 cases in 2020 and 41 cases this year.

How stated the detachment understands mental health crisis can create complicated situations. He added the detachment is looking at reducing police intervention in these incidents and deferring to the appropriate agencies, but highlighted police are often called in to neutralize situations that have escalated beyond control.

“Mental health issues are involved in almost every call for service we deal with and usually coincide with addictions and other social issues,” How shared. “Meadow Lake detachment is very aware that many of the people police interact with are suffering from mental illness and we try to ensure the appropriate resources are engaged. Unfortunately, the combination of mental illness and illegal drug use frequently results in violence and the police being required to intervene.”

—

elliott.knopp@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @ElliottKnopp