news

Cranbrook, BC (July 29, 2025) - 2,781 reports to police and 2,040 calls for service highlight second quarter figures for the Cranbrook RCMP Detachment presented to Council by Sergeant Graham Hartl on Monday night. The Cranbrook detachment received an increase of 519 reports to police compared to Q1 and continues to see an upward trend in reports to police. The update also highlighted an increase in some offences, most notably assaults, commercial break & enters and thefts.

Cranbrook RCMP responded to 236 mental health-related calls this quarter, up from 173 previously. Members also submitted 59 Reports to Crown Counsel recommending charges, completed 20 curfew checks, and issued 46 provincial roadside prohibitions for impaired driving—resulting in immediate license suspensions and vehicle impoundments.

From January to June, Cranbrook RCMP received 5,043 files. The majority (36%) were non-criminal matters such as missing persons, wellbeing checks, and assisting other agencies. Property crimes accounted for 15%, persons crimes 8%, other Criminal Code offences 5%, traffic incidents 3%, and fraud reports 2%.

The Cranbrook RCMP recently completed several proactive crime prevention and community safety initiatives, including two public presentations, 49 joint patrols with City Bylaw Officers, and 160 foot and vehicle patrols in key areas across the city. The detachment also welcomed Constable Carlee Munro as the new Community Policing Constable and will soon introduce a new Community Engagement Coordinator to complete the Community Policing Unit.

Cranbrook RCMP reported the results of a recent drug trafficking investigation by the General Investigation Section, which led to multiple arrests and the seizure of suspected drugs, cash, firearms, and trafficking-related items. The detachment also provided an update on Body Worn Cameras, in use since December 2024, noting they have improved transparency but significantly increased administrative demands for officers and support staff.

“Cranbrook RCMP is taking proactive steps in addressing the increase in property crime in our community,” says Cranbrook RCMP Operations Support NCO, Sgt. Graham Hartl. “Our detachment is increasing patrols and visibility in high-risk areas and using data-driven crime reduction strategies to address the increase in property crime. Through enhanced patrols with Bylaw staff, we have been able to recover a number of stolen items. We ask the public to take proactive steps in preventing property crime by not leaving valuables unattended outside or in unattended trailers, locking up bikes even when they are in a shed or other shelter and never leave valuables inside an unattended vehicle.” 

You can review the complete presentation made to Council online here.