Crime statistics in the Crowsnest Pass RCMP detachment area rose sharply in the first three months of 2026.

The detachment’s January-to-March provincial policing report shows crimes against persons jumped 64 per cent year-over-year, but detachment commander Sgt. Mark Amatto says the spike reflects something positive: more victims of domestic violence are coming forward.

According to the report, total Criminal Code offences climbed 46 per cent, from 124 cases in 2025 to 181 in the same period this year. Amatto attributes a significant portion of that increase to the detachment’s deliberate, multi-year effort to encourage domestic violence victims to report their abuse.

“It’s not from a spike in regard to firefights or assaults happening outside the realm of domestic violence,” Amatto says. “I do believe that stat bump is entirely based upon domestic violence stats capturing and recording.”

The detachment has been running community presentations through Crowsnest Pass schools and public outreach programs to help residents understand how police define domestic violence, what to expect when charges are laid, and what supports are available when charges are not warranted.

In 2024-25, before enhanced reporting measures were in place, the detachment recorded 97 domestic violence-related occurrences. That figure rose to 146 in the first year of the initiative. The program uses increased reporting as a measure of success rather than a sign of worsening conditions.

“We rely more on our victim services unit. They can offer different referral programs and ensure that these people get the help that they need,” Amatto says.

Within the crimes against persons category, assaults rose from 22 to 31 cases, while criminal harassment rose from 12 to 22 cases.

Uttering threats doubled from three to six cases and sexual assaults rose from one to two. The detachment also recorded its first kidnapping or abduction occurrence in the past five years.

Property crime, by contrast, saw only a modest increase, up from 59 to 63 cases. Theft under $5,000 tripled from four to 12 cases, and break-and-enter cases doubled from three to six.

Theft of motor vehicles dropped from seven to three cases, and fraud was cut in half, from 12 to six cases. Mischief causing property damage edged down to 11 cases.

The sharpest increase came in the other Criminal Code category, which more than doubled from 26 to 54 cases year-over-year.

Amatto says the biggest driver there was a jump in fail-to-comply and breach charges, which rose from seven cases to 25. He attributes this to the detachment’s habitual offender management program, which involves closer monitoring of individuals on probation or facing charges.

“We have more people who are in the charged-and-accused category, so we have officers ensuring compliance on those who are either on probation or charged and accused, ensuring that they are adhering to their conditions,” he says. “If not, they’re being charged with either failed to comply or a breach.”

Disturbing the peace cases also increased significantly from six to 16.

No drug offences were reported this quarter, down from three last year. Amatto says this does not mean the detachment has turned a blind eye to drug activity, but rather that officer resources were directed toward traffic, the area’s most pressing call-for-service demand.

“Every community has an issue with drugs, but right now what we’re focused on is the increased amount of vehicular traffic in and through the Highway 3 and 22 corridors,” he says. “The enforcement will rise to the demand or the need for it.”

The detachment recorded 55 motor vehicle collisions during the quarter, down from 82 the previous quarter, with two non-fatal injury collisions and no fatalities. Fifty-one tickets and 15 warnings were issued along Highway 3 and 22.

Amatto says road safety remains the top community policing priority for 2026-27, with enforcement planned in partnership with community peace officers and sheriffs through joint-force operations.

Other priorities for the coming year include a habitual offender management program focused on reducing property crime, continued domestic violence outreach now entering its second year, and the launch of a community patrol initiative. This will blend the existing Citizens on Patrol program with a new wildlife watch component — a tailored approach to Crowsnest Pass’s unique mix of public safety and predator activity.

The detachment also operated below full strength in the quarter, with only six of nine regular member positions active. Amatto says the newly formed relief unit helped fill the gap, rotating six constables through the detachment over a six-week period.