CRIME RATE UP 30 PER CENT

Fort Saskatchewan Record -- According to statistics gathered by the local
RCMP, the amount of criminal code charges laid in 2003 is up significantly
from the previous year.

There were 30 per cent more charges laid under the criminal code last year
with 1,496 from 1,149 in 2002. An eight per cent jump in the amount of
people charged went up in 2003 from 172 in the previous year to 186.

The source of that spike mostly comes from the rise in theft charges, says
Const. Helen Meinzinger, spokesperson of the Fort Saskatchewan RCMP.

There are 449 charges of theft under $5,000 reported this past year
compared to the 278 charges laid in 2002.

Meinzinger says there's a few different reasons behind the increase to
theft charges. "Sometimes I think weather trends-believe it or not-have
something to do with it. With the nicer weather, it's more likely people
are going to be out committing crimes."

Meinzinger believes Crystal Meth is also to blame.

"There's got to be a relationship there," she said. "With an increase in
usage, the people who are using this stuff need money, and they might be
looking for some by breaking into cars, checking all the doors to see which
one is unlocked."

"You got to look at our drug issue," Meinzinger said. "You got to think
about Crystal Meth-break and Enters, breaking into cars-things like that
are going to be under there."

She also cited shoplifting as another crime that fills up a lot of the
theft under $5,000 charges. "Wal-Mart and other stores can account for that."

Many charges come from one investigation, said Meinzinger.

The "sweetheart thefts," as described by Wal-Mart security guards,
accounted for 108 charges including theft under $5,000 and fraud related
allegations. A total of 13 people were charged in fall 2003, including
seven young offenders, three adult males, and three adult females. All but
one person have either been sentenced a probationary period to serve, or in
some cases have been referred to alternative measures. Three of the
individuals are on probation, while nine went through alternative measures.

One adult male is awaiting a trial in May.

He's facing a theft and fraud accusation said Const. Heidi Ravenhill,
investigating officer.

"He's accused of stealing Lego," she said.