Trail RCMP responded to fewer criminal incidents in the second quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year, according to statistics released by the detachment on July 8.
The report, covering April through June, shows a decline in many traditional crime categories, including assaults, thefts, and impaired driving.
At the same time, calls related to mental health and well-being have increased, pointing to a shift in the types of situations police are being called to handle.
“Overall, our statistics were down but within expectations,” said Sgt. Mike Wicentowich. “Trail RCMP remains committed to keeping our communities safe for everyone.”
Assaults dropped from 29 to 22. Sexual offences saw a sharp decrease, from 14 to 3.
Vehicle thefts declined from 11 to 4.
No robberies were reported, compared to one last year.
Break-and-enters saw a slight rise, from 10 to 12, while thefts from vehicles dropped significantly from 19 to 4.
Impaired driving incidents fell from 26 to 18.
Collisions also dropped sharply, 24 compared to 41 in the same quarter last year.
The only increase on the roads was a tragic one: a single motor vehicle fatality, compared to none in 2024.
That fatal crash occurred on May 26, when a 64-year-old Castlegar man died in a multi-vehicle collision on Highway 22 near the Birchbank golf course.
Emergency crews responded around 3:30 p.m. after reports of a crash involving a motorcycle and two other vehicles.
According to RCMP, the motorcyclist was travelling south toward Trail and was unable to stop for slowing traffic.
Person and violence-related criminal code files remained nearly unchanged at 54, compared to 55 last year.
Domestic violence incidents dipped slightly from 8 to 6, while drug investigations declined from 3 to 2.
But while criminal cases were down, other types of calls increased, especially those linked to mental health and public safety.
Mental health-related incidents rose to 119 from 90.
Well-being checks increased from 100 to 121.
Though not criminal in nature, these calls often demand considerable time and resources from responding officers.
Suspicious person or vehicle reports were slightly lower, down from 186 to 175.
Requests for unspecified assistance also declined, from 104 to 98.
Property-related criminal code files dropped from 190 to 144.
In total, RCMP recorded 297 criminal code files: 62 fewer than the 359 reported in the second quarter of 2024.
Overall calls for service fell by 60, from 1,424 in 2024 to 1,364 this year.
The second quarter data highlights that while Trail RCMP continue to respond to a broad spectrum of calls, an increasing number relate to public safety and well-being rather than crime.
