FORT ST. JOHN, BC – The RCMP Detachment in Fort St. John gave the City Council an update on policing in the region, reporting a decrease in shoplifting activity but an increase in vehicle theft.

Sergeant Scott Watson, acting detachment commander at Fort St. John RCMP appeared before council at Aug. 12 to present the city’s 2023 annual assessmentafter which council and the RCMP agreed to change the reports to monthly.

The October report, presented to council on November 5, shows an increase in vehicle thefts, mainly due to a a bunch of thefts from vehicles at hotels intended for hunters, but a decrease in theft incidents by 10.

Watson pointed to an “interesting” reduction in incidents at Walmart, where the store followed RCMP advice and hired additional security officers.

During his August report to the board, Watson highlighted a critical staffing need throughout 2023 that appears to continue to be a concern in October.

The detachment has received five recruits in recent months and expects two more by the end of the year. Three constable grade vacancies continue to be reported, and one officer and a watch commander remain on long-term medical leave.

According to the report, a second watch commander has returned to full time and will return to active duty after completing mandatory training. A candidate for detachment commander has also been selected, and the detachment is “currently awaiting the staffing process to initiate a transfer.”

The name of the selected candidate is currently unknown, but will be made public once confirmed.