Crime on the rise in Conception Bay North

By Olivia Bradbury/Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Harbour Grace RCMP say that calls to police— and subsequently, the crime rate— has increased in recent years.

RCMP Staff Sergeant Ken Maher and Sergeant Lynn Gaudet were in attendance at council meetings both in Carbonear and Bay Roberts this past October to meet with their respective councils.

Bay Roberts Mayor Walter Yetman said that the increase in crime, in particular a murder that was committed in Bay Roberts this September, was unsettling for the town and the region as a whole.

The officers spoke about the recent arrest of three individuals who were charged with the murder, and noted that a Honda Civic from a gas station surveillance video believed to be connected to the crime had been apprehended by police.

The officers said the RCMP believes all involved parties are in custody, and that there is no threat posed to the public connected to that incident. They also said that they do not believe major crimes that occurred in Makinsons and Harbour Grace in recent years are connected to the Bay Roberts incident, including murders committed in the Harbour Grace-Port de Grave district in 2021, 2023, and 2024.

Officers also allowed that area police are a couple of bodies short as they await transfers, two of whom they hope to have on the ground before Christmas. Additional police, they said, are needed to combat the growing crime rate.

Officers also touched on the topic of a mobile mental health resource, which would alleviate some of the RCMPs workload.

“There’s really no need for the police to be pulling them out of their house when they can likely go or deal with a medical professional on scene and be dealt with or go to the hospital by means other than police car,” said Maher.

Mayor Geoff Seymour asked if the RCMP could put something like that in place or whether the town would have to advocate for it. Maher replied that the town would have to initiate it. Seymour noted that such a service would come from the provincial government and said.

“The onus is on us now to get on MHAs to expediate this as much as possible and get a movement,” said the deputy mayor.

            Following this, Councillor Perry Bowering asked for the officers’ thoughts on residents having cameras on their properties, businesses, and so on. Maher said the RCMP always advocates for the use of cameras. “It’s helped us countless times,” he remarked. He said that camera could catch not only crime on one’s property, but on the road, as well. He added that, nowadays, people can get a good camera for a decent price, and that they can deter crime as well as catch it.

            The officers and council also discussed the concept of anonymity. Maher said you can pass on information to the police and remain anonymous, especially if you are a victim of a crime. However, he encourages people to step up and cooperate with investigations, even if it means they have to appear publicly in court. He said that, if people are afraid to report crime for fear of going to court and testifying, the criminals will “never stop”. Sergeant Gaudet noted that, oftentimes, a crime does not end up going to court, Maher added that the RCMP can also limit a perpetrator’s contact with a witness, and that Crimestoppers is an option for reporting, as well.

“The police can do so much, but really the community as a whole has to target this stuff,” said Maher.