Calls for service from the Nanaimo RCMP have decreased across the board from 2023 to 2024, with big declines seen in property crimes, including mischief to properties and theft. (File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Jordan Davidson

down 6 per cent

Nanaimo RCMP calls for service lowest in five years

Feb 14, 2025 | 4:28 PM

NANAIMO — Calls for assistance to Nanaimo RCMP detachment continued a trend downward last year, reaching their lowest point in five years.

Overall, 42,743 calls for service were requested in 2024, a decrease of six per cent compared to 2023, according to data presented by Nanaimo RCMP Insp. Eric Rochette on Wednesday, Feb. 12.

Insp. Rochette said their mental health liaison officer played a big part in their ‘check well-being’ calls, with over 2,800 requests for assistance in 2024, on par with 2023 numbers.

“We had 739 apprehensions that were done by members, and out of those 739, 64 were done by what we call the Car 54. His role, because he’s by himself, is to focus on clients that we get repeat calls for services, or we have a few violent clients that if he can work with NRGH and get support.”

He said they’re currently in the process of recruiting a second nurse to assist with the program, with the position already approved by the province and Island Health.

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Once the nurse is in place, they’ll be able to staff a second officer in the crucial role.

Calls for property crimes were down seven per cent in 2024, with noted decreases in mischief to property and theft from vehicles, the latter of which saw the largest yearly decrease with a 23 per cent drop.

Both aggravated assault and assault-other calls decreased by 58 per cent each, with 12 incidents reported in 2023 and only five in 2024.

However, not every category saw numbers drop.

Shoplifting calls shot up 26 per cent from 2023, while assault cases and weapons offences also rose slightly.

Property crimes also saw a decrease in all but three categories.

Calls regarding arson/fire increased 13 per cent and break and enter to businesses increased by nine per cent.

The notable changes related to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) were due to the decriminalization of possession of under 2.5 grams of illicit drugs, which was re-criminalized in May of 2024. (Nanaimo RCMP)

Community Safety Officers (CSO) responded to 7,832 calls last year, with welfare checks (1,482), the administration of Naloxone (1,292), and investigating encampments (1,079) the top three reasons for service.

Bylaw officers responded to over 3,600 calls last year, with traffic (825) and parking (680) making up the majority of complaints.

Over 14,600 tickets were issued for those two categories, totalling almost $489,000 in fines.

Downtown Stats
Over 1,200 fewer calls for service to Nanaimo RCMP originated from downtown last year, which includes a 12 per cent decrease in violent crimes, and a 13 per cent decrease in property offences.

Calls for assaults in Nanaimo’s downtown remained unchanged with 299 reported in both 2023 and 2024, while calls for the majority of other crimes decreased, save for two.

Drug possession and drug trafficking calls increased by 371 per cent and 250 per cent respectively, but this was due to the province re-criminalizing the possession of illicit hard drugs in May of last year, according to Insp. Rochette.

Calls for robberies in the downtown decreased by 52 per cent, while auto thefts and mental health-related calls were down 23 and 20 per cent.

The Nanaimo RCMP’s Special Investigations and Targeted Enforcement (SITE) unit, which focuses on repeat violent offenders, currently has 10 people on their list, with only one warrant outstanding and the remaining nine either in custody, facing charges, or being managed through probationary measures.

Around 40 people were on this list in 2024 after it was formed through a spring 2023 initiative by the province.

Priorities for 2025
Priorities for this year are similar to the 2024 focus, including crime reduction, employee wellness, inclusion and reconciliation, community public safety, and recruiting new members, according to Insp. Rochette.

He said the number of their employees on off-duty sick leave (ODS) was reduced by half last year.

“We just have one member from the traffic team that’s just returning. She’s currently on gradual return to work and expected to be back and able to work back on the streets in a month or two, so that’s good news for the detachment and the community.”

When it comes to recruiting new Nanaimo RCMP members, he said they’re planning to get three new members added to their roster before the summer as training is completed.

And what makes those recruits unique, is they are all originally from Vancouver Island.

“Some don’t even have to move. It’s always interesting to get people that are in late 20s, early 30s, they’ve had jobs within the community, they have friends there and support in place, and the adjustment is way easier for them learning a new role, and at least they have support at home and they don’t have to move.”

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