Nothing gets social media fans and addicts busier typing than a story about rising crime statistics.
Indeed, some are so eager to express themselves on this issue that their fingers hit the keyboards to comment before their eyes make it past the headline.
Last week’s story in the Osoyoos Times titled, “Violent crime, domestic violence up in Osoyoos,” was a case in point.
The story gave an accurate account of a quarterly report presented to the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) by RCMP Superintendent Ted de Jager.
A similar story in the Oliver Chronicle reported de Jager’s comments on crime in that community.
The extent of petty crime in this area should not be minimized. Social media reports daily on stolen bicycles, thefts from vehicles, home break-ins and similar crime.
Nobody is saying petty crimes aren’t a problem.
But to jump to the conclusion, as some did, that the South Okanagan is a dangerous place, that crime rates are soaring or the justice system has completely broken down, is simply a gross misrepresentation.
De Jager’s report simply compared local statistics from January to March 2018 with the same period in 2017.
The story reports, for example, that domestic violence was up 50 per cent over the previous year. That sounds alarming, and any domestic violence is unacceptable, but it’s hardly a statistically meaningful number.
As the story reports, the actual numbers rose to three incidents from two in the previous year.
Of course it’s very likely that there were many more unreported incidents of domestic violence because victims of that crime are often afraid to speak out.
But a fluctuation of just one incident is not a trend.
Nor can we take comfort in the 83-per-cent drop in auto thefts – from six incidents in the first quarter of 2017 to just one in the first quarter this year.
Anything can explain the five fewer incidents, including the possibility that an offender is behind bars.
That too is not a trend.
But several points in de Jager’s report are especially noteworthy.
The single largest crime type, and it’s growing, is thefts from vehicles. And the majority of this occurs when valuables are left in plain view inside unlocked vehicles.
Well duh.
Those of us who have lived in major cities are often shocked by the careless attitudes of those in smaller communities who leave cars parked on the streets with doors unlocked and valuables scattered across the seats. Or who leave home without locking the door.
The reality is that the South Okanagan is becoming increasingly urbanized and taking reasonable precautions only makes common sense.
This is not to blame the victim or excuse the offender. No crime is acceptable. But people have a responsibility not to tempt fate or tempt those who are criminally inclined.
De Jager also points to another trend that defies the common misperception that the homeless and street people commit the most crime in the region.
“While it is true that many of our social concerns are reflected in this group, the reality of crime is that the majority is committed by prolific offenders, most of whom are not homeless at all,” he said.
Police have programs to monitor prolific offenders, especially when they are released after serving their sentences. But to suggest they should be thrown back in jail without any evidence of a new crime – as some of the social media typists would argue – is not a viable option.
Perhaps it’s time for the Osoyoos RCMP to hold another public forum, as they did in April 2016, to address some of the public concerns about crime and policing.
And hopefully they can add some factual information to counter the buzz of the social media typists.
