Climbing crime rate draws concern
Justice official not alarmed by statistics, but Iglulik's mayor troubled by deluge of offences
Derek Neary
Northern News Services
Monday, August 14, 2017
NUNAVUT
Nunavut's crime rate climbed for the second consecutive year in 2016, according to Statistics Canada data released in July.
The crime severity index, a Statistics Canada formula used to gauge the "scale of seriousness" of crime, rose four per cent in Nunavut in 2016. On that scale, Nunavut is about three times higher than the national average.
There was a 5.2 per cent overall increase in crime compared to 2015, and 2015 was 5.4 per cent higher than 2014.
Taking into account the increase in Nunavut's population, violent crimes were up one per cent in 2016 while property crimes essentially held steady.
Department of Justice assistant deputy minister Yvonne Niego said she is not alarmed by the figures. The Statistics Canada data is just one measure that her department tracks in addition to input from the Nunavut courts and community crime prevention reports.
With only 37,000 people in the territory, the increase in the percentage of crime, particularly in certain statistical categories, can change drastically with only a few incidents, Niego noted.
"I suspect with Nunavut's numbers a small increase or decrease in something can seem much more pronounced than in a larger place," she said. "Basically we do take these reports into consideration, however, we don't (put) all our faith in that report alone."
Niego outlined a number of existing programs to counter crime: restorative justice, anti-bootlegging, suicide and family violence prevention, social development, improving language service, firearms safety and reintegration programs for those in jail.
"If you look at the realities in the communities, there are a lot of good things happening. Nunavut is developing as a territory. I think there are a lot of promising practices," she said.
In a breakdown by community, Iglulik had the largest hike in crime, with a whopping 41.7 per cent surge, which follows a 33 per cent increase in 2015.
Iglulik Mayor Celestino Uyarak offered no denials or excuses for the startling statistics.
"It seems to be getting worse... that's one of the reasons why I decided to run for mayor," said Uyarak, who was elected last December.
"We're in a desperate moment to get the crime down... I knew I was going to struggle, but I won't be giving up."
The growing number of break-and-enters and incidents of vandalism are especially troubling, he said.
Iglulik gained a fourth RCMP officer earlier this year but Uyarak said he still considers the detachment overworked.
He'd like to supplement that with a municipal bylaw officer but the money simply doesn't exist for an additional salary, bylaw vehicle and office space, he said.
"We had financial difficulties in the last couple years," said Uyarak, who previously served as the assistant SAO in Iglulik. "Our budget was extremely tight."
To tackle the crime problem, Uyarak said he plans to reinforce that hamlet councillors must focus on their portfolios and he's aiming to get various community agencies to work together.
"I will try and address that," he said, adding that he is also promoting more parental involvement in the community.
"Iglulik, 20 years ago, 25 years ago, everyone wanted to live here because of our culture, history, storytelling and activities. Now, we seemed to be confused, but we'll try to get it back up there," Uyarak pledged.
Cambridge Bay was the community with the second-highest increase in crime, with a 39.33 per cent jump last year over the year prior. Mayor Jeannie Ehaloak declined an interview on the topic.
Cape Dorset realized the largest decrease in crime, with a 20.9 per cent reduction in 2016. That comes on the heels of a 14.7 per cent increase the year before. Mayor Palaya Qiatsuk couldn't be reached for comment prior to press deadline.
An RCMP spokesperson indicated that a police force response to the crime statistics would be forthcoming but not in time for press deadline.
