Whitehorse city council wants RCMP to prioritize rising property crime [Video]

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 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 …