Whitehorse city council wants RCMP to prioritize rising property crime

Whitehorse city council wants property crime added to a list of the RCMP's policing priorities.

The motion, presented by Coun. Ted Laking on Monday, asks the city's mayor to write a letter to the territory's justice minister requesting the addition. The motion passed unanimously after much discussion about things like better support for non-government organizations, the housing shortage and affordability.

RCMP have said property crime is on the rise. The Yukon Police Council and the territory's Department of Justice help set out policing priorities every few years. The current priorities are in place until 2025.

"As a municipality we have very limited authority, resources and capacity to address crime in our community," said Coun. Jocelyn Curteanu. She also spoke to the importance of Whitehorse being both healthy and safe.

Yukon store owners working together to address rise in property crime

19 days ago

Duration 1:29

Yukon RCMP say property crime is on the rise in Whitehorse. Businesses downtown have suffered multiple break-ins this year. And as Liam Baker tells us, some store owners are now working together to address the issue.

Councillor Kirk Cameron, who lives downtown, said some residents are not as comfortable going for a walk in the evening.

"It's just a very unsettling feeling," Councillor Michelle Friesen said about break-ins and crime downtown. "Everyone deserves to feel safe in our community."

Friesen and Coun. Mellisa Murray noted during the discussion the RCMP themselves have asked for outside support. According to the city, those requests have included harm reduction programs and collaborations with local First Nations, like the Kwanlin Dn First Nation.

A city communications person said Mayor Laura Cabott would be writing the letter, asking for property crime to be added to the RCMP's list of priorities, by the end of September. Cabott said it would be the second such request from the city the other is to add traffic laws and enforcement to policing priorities.