The RNC is taking steps to counteract violent and other crimes in the province.

They have jurisdiction over the metro region, the greater Corner Brook area and Labrador West.

Numbers from Statistics Canada show an increase in non-violent crime in Newfoundland and Labrador of 36 per cent over the 10-year period 2014 to 2024, but a 7 per cent reduction in violent crime in 2024 compared to 2023.

RNC Constable James Cadigan says call volumes have increased significantly over the years, including a 12 per cent jump last year from the year before.

Their response is similar to triage at a hospital where the response is based on the level of severity.

“That’s the best analogy and that’s how our police force directs resources,” says Cadigan.

The RNC created a drug and weapons enforcement unit a couple of years ago, and the crime severity index did drop by 7 per cent just afterward.

Police also developed an operational services unit to deal with street crime.

“It’s a support unit which looks at theft under $5000 which includes shoplifting,” says Cadigan.

“They are taking in anywhere between 80 to 120 investigations per week, and that reflects the level of theft activity we see today.”