Surrey RCMP say a prolific offender program it launched late last year is showing results.
Last fall, Surrey RCMP created a specialized process to identify and apprehend prolific offenders – those few individuals who are responsible for committing the bulk of the city's crime.
In January alone, Surrey RCMP arrested 21 prolific offenders, primarily for breaching their conditions of release or probation.
They were also arrested for a variety of other offences, including theft, drugs and fraud.
Some of those arrested include: a man 53, with more than 98 criminal charges since 2009; a 30-year-old mail thief with 41 charges in the last 11 years; and a man, 43, who had police at his home more than 25 times in four months.
“It is important that we use our policing resources as efficiently as possible and the approach we are taking to address prolific offenders has been highly successful,” said Surrey RCMP Community Services Officer Supt. Shawn Gill. “Each and every enforceable condition that these individuals are currently facing is analyzed and acted upon to ensure compliance and reduce their risk to public safety.”
Crime analysts are now being used heavily by the RCMP to help apprehend and convict those making a career out of crime.
With an 18-per-cent drop in property crime recorded in the last quarter of 2015, the enhanced approach has also allowed front line police officers to spend more time proactively patrolling the community, police said.
“As efficiencies are created through this highly analytical work, our patrol officers are not burdened with investigating the same crimes committed by the same criminals over and over again,” Gill said.
For more information on how citizens can partner with police to make their neighbourhood safer, visit the Surrey RCMP’s website at http://surrey.rcmp-grc.gc.ca or attend an upcoming Neighbourhood Safety Meeting:
• Guildford
Feb. 24 at 6:30 p.m. at Berkshire Park Elementary, 15372 94 Ave.
• Port Kells
March 2 at 6:30 p.m. at Port Kells Elementary, 19076 88 Ave.
• South Surrey
March 3 at 6:30 p.m. at Jessie Lee Elementary, 2064 154 St.
• City Centre
March 9 at 6:30 p.m. at Cedar Hills Elementary 12370 98 Ave.