The number of times RNC were called to St. John’s hospitals rose dramatically last year, but whether that’s an anomaly or part of a trend remains to be seen.

According to the RNC, the number of calls for police service at the Health Sciences rose from 321 in 2022, to 375 in 2023. However, last year the number spiked to 575.

Similar trends were seen at St. Clare’s, where police were calls numbered 323 in 2022 and 473 in 2023 before jumping to 570 in 2024.

The highest number of calls were related to mental health crises.

RNC Constable James Cadigan says it’s hard to say precisely what those numbers mean, but he does say there appears to be a greater willingness and awareness among healthcare staff to call for outside help when the need arises.

He says the concept of a greater partnership with the RNC was the focus of a symposium involving healthcare officials last year.

“I feel like those types of discussions are important, so that those who are engaged in those workplaces and those types of environments understand that if a criminal event is occurring, the sooner you make a report the more efficient the response will be. And I believe that we’re seeing that in this space, just like we are throughout the community.”