The Tories say the documented increase in the level of crime in Newfoundland and Labrador is a reflection of a government that does not take crime seriously.

Criminal activity in the province increased by 5 per cent in 2024 over 2023, and 36 per cent in the ten year period 2014-24. However, violent crime dropped by 7 per cent last year over the year before.

Justice Critic Helen Conway-Ottenheimer says we do not have enough police officers on the ground. She also says we need more mobile crisis units.

Both RCMP and RNC report staggering increases in the number of calls for service over the past few years.

The Harbour Main MHA says the high volume of calls prevents officers from doing important preventative work. “It does not allow the officers to engage in proactive policing,” says Conway-Ottenheimer. “Their resources are not able to be targeted to things such as undercover operations and surveillance.”