On August 30, 2024 Staff Sergeant Jill McLaren hosted an informal media availability to meet with her where she addressed the August 13 news release which provided information about property crime statistics in Whitehorse.
S/Sgt McLaren also talked about her new role as the Whitehorse RCMP's Acting Detachment Commander. In particular, she explained how Whitehorse RCMP consults with the community in order to set it's priorities and goals. For the past three years Whitehorse Detachment has consulted with the community through a public survey asking for input to help guide detachment specific policing priorities. The results from the survey inform the Detachment Action Plan, which strategically guides and focuses activities for the year.
Each of the detachments in the Yukon have detachment level action plans that complement the Yukon's Policing Priorities, which are priorities set for the entire Yukon Territory set by the Minister of Justice.
The top three priorities identified by Whitehorse citizens, which are part of Whitehorse Detachment's Action Plan, are: illicit drug use, property crime and traffic enforcement. Illicit drug use and property crime fall under the Territory's Policing Priorities of enhancing policing targeted at serious crime.
S/Sgt McLaren relayed that we hear the business owners and citizens of Whitehorse and understand their frustrations. Property crime can be driven by a number of factors, including a handful of prolific offenders, addictions, social issues, and population growth. Historically, Whitehorse has experienced periods of increase like this, with respect to property crime.
RCMP have also seen property crime driven by a handful of individuals who are repeat offenders. The M Division Crime Reduction Unit and other Division Units have been instrumental in assisting Whitehorse Detachment and others, in apprehending some of our most prolific offenders in relation to property crime.
Property crime, like thefts from vehicles, can often can be linked to addictions and social issues, and this issue is complex. Some things are outside of the control of policing. Striving for healthy communities involves the efforts of more than just the police and it is important that the Whitehorse Detachment works in collaboration with and is supportive of, the work that other organizations and agencies are doing.
Yukon RCMP will continue to tell the story of our activities providing effective policing in every community in the Territory with transparency and accountability, as we strive for results that can be measured, as evidenced by the sustained work of Whitehorse Detachment, community detachments, Crime Reduction Unit, Major Crime Unit among others and as supported by the Critical Incident Program. Yukon RCMP remains active participants in areas of public safety, including in discussions on exploring a Repeat Offender Management Program. Yukon RCMP look forward to continued discussions with partners on such a program.
The consideration of adding two additional police officer positions to the three positions allocated via the resourcing provisions found in the Territorial Police Service Agreement to Whitehorse Detachment in 2024/2025, would support not only the detachment and community needs, but the overall territorial policing needs. Whitehorse has grown exponentially, and with it, the policing pressures. In order to remain effective in a proactive and responsive manner, the detachment will be able to continue to provide policing coverage, enhanced programming and participate as leaders and service providers in the community with our partners. A Repeat Offender Management Program is an area that our division will continue to pursue with Department of Justice, and include all of our detachments and a whole of division and territorial approach.