West Vancouver Police Department’s 2010 Year End Report on Crime

Tuesday, March 08, 2011

Date: 2011 March 07
Contact: Cpl. Jag Johal                             
Telephone:  604-925-7315 

At the March 7, 2011 West Vancouver Council Meeting, Chief Constable Peter Lepine provided the West Vancouver Police Department’s 2010 Year End Report on Crime. Like other communities in British Columbia, crime in West Vancouver was down. However, given that the community generally has lower crime rates than other communities in Metro Vancouver, the degree to which crime has dropped in 2010 is catching the attention of local criminologists.

As part of their presentation, the WVPD crime analyst advised council that Break and Enters, as well as vehicle related crimes, were all down.

Specifically:

  • Residential Break and Enters, down by 21%
  • Theft of Vehicles, down by 37%
  • Theft from Vehicles, down by 25%
  • Commercial Break and Enters, down by 11%

Lepine commented that this success did not come by chance and stressed, "Our plan capitalizes on a strategy that relies heavily on the use of Comparative Statistics (CompStat) which provides leading edge intelligence on where, how and, most importantly, who might be responsible for crime in our community. The plan or strategy works if you stick to it, even during times when you see the occasional blips."

The WVPD strategy places emphasis on the management of prolific offenders. The WVPD Crime Analyst explained to council "the department recognizes that there are a small number of criminals who are responsible for the majority of our crime in West Vancouver. The department monitors and supervisors these offenders no matter where they might reside within Metro Vancouver."

"Our police officers are completely focused on criminal activity and patterns of crime in West Vancouver,” said Mayor and Police Board Chair Pamela Goldsmith-Jones. “They have demonstrated how analysis, and a team able to adapt and respond quickly, results in a safer community."

The Comparative Statistics (CompStat) also includes activities such as hot spot mapping, and Calls for Service trends. Police resources are subsequently deployed based on this information. The information is also shared with our Block Watch and District Watch volunteers who are then better informed as they help police deal with crime and safety issues.

Lepine concluded the Department’s presentation by advising council that, statistically speaking, the degree of this downward trend has caught the attention of the criminologists at the University of the Fraser Valley. They feel that there is a story to be told here and, as a result, Doctor Darryl Plecas and his team will be conducting research into the Department’s strategy. "We are extremely happy to be able to share our successes and to tell the story of the dedication and tenacity of the men and women of the West Vancouver Police Department, to provide a superior police service to our citizens" said Lepine.

The Chief Constables 2010 Report on Crime is available for viewing on the West Vancouver Police Website.