How the cold snap affects crime, policing
Posted January 12, 2017 8:20 am.
Last Updated January 12, 2017 8:22 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
COQUITLAM (NEWS 1130) – This recent cold snap is impacting everyone and apparently the frosty weather also seems to make criminals think twice.
Coquitlam RCMP Corporal Michael McLaughlin calls the cold Mother Nature’s crime fighter. “Sometimes we do see a bit of a blip in the way we do police work. For instance, certain kinds of crime might reduce, however at the same time, with difficult weather like ice and snow, you see other things increase like traffic collisions.”
He adds they’ve also dealt with an increase in medical-related calls like slips and falls with seniors and the disabled being particularly susceptible during this wintry blast. “There is a vulnerable community that’s going to be hit extra hard. These people are going to be extra hit by this sort of weather.”
McLaughlin admits even officers can struggle in the cold. “It’s rather embarrassing when someone in uniform goes down, but even if we have to be extra careful on the ice — for sure.”
NEWS 1130 Meteorologist Russ Lacate says the cold snap will stick around for a few more days before the mercury rises and the rain returns next week.
