Merritt RCMP statistics show average crime numbers throughout the community

MERRITT B.C. — Crime statistics set to be presented to City Council on Thursday show the volume of crime in Merritt has not increased through the first five months of the year.

Through to the end of May 2023, the Merritt RCMP had responded to 2,237 calls for service, representing more calls than 2022, but less than the two years prior.

“The Merritt RCMP consistently see a high Criminal Code file rate per 1,000 people compared to other communities,” writes Sgt. Josh Roda in his report to council. “Merritt is consistently much higher than comparable communities like Salmon Arm and Revelstoke. We have similar Criminal Code crime rates to Kamloops.”

Similar to what many communities are facing, Mounties reported seeing an increase in calls to properties regarding drug use.

“The Merritt RCMP have seen a steady increase since 2020 in Mischief Loss Enjoyment to Property complaints. These are complaints are when businesses/property owners are calling in vagrants on their properties and drug use etc. In the first 5 months of 2023 we are at 155 calls for service. Comparably in 2022, during the same time frame, we were at 80 calls,” continues the report from Roda.

The Merritt Detachment is also seeing an above average number of mental health act calls in 2023, with 74 such calls through the first five months of the year.