An RCMP program that targets prolific offenders is being credited for the drop in Chilliwack’s crime rate, which continued to fall in 2008 with fewer crimes reported in nearly every category, according to a B.C. government report.

The city’s crime rate, based on the number of reported criminal code offences per 1,000 population, fell to 128 in 2008 from 177 in 2007, continuing a downward trend that started in 2005.

Province-wide, the crime rate also continued to fall in 2008 due to increased funding for police services like integrated enforcement units, bait cars and new strategies like the prolific offender program.

Although the program in Chilliwack didn’t formally begin until February, 2009, prolific offenders have been the target of the city’s crime reduction strategy since 2006.

Under that strategy, a criminal identified as a prolific offender is paid a visit by police officers after their release from jail and offered help getting their lives back on the right track.

It’s generally accepted that 90 percent of a community’s crimes is caused by the 10 percent who are prolific offenders.

RCMP Supt. Keith Robinson, officer in charge of the Upper Fraser Valley regional detachment, said he hopes to see the program expanded in Chilliwack with partners from health and social services helping offenders find alternatives to the criminal lifestyle.

“We, the police, are the enforcement side of crime reduction, that’s our main role,” he said. “We locate the bad people who are committing the crimes, arrest them or identify them, and then provide them with advice on the organizations that can help them change their behavior.”

Like better health care to address the drug addictions that drive most criminals, or better housing and educational opportunities.

“So they have other alternatives than going out and committing crimes,” Robinson said. “They can learn a trade and become fruitful citizens again.”

Chilliwack Mayor Sharon Gaetz summed up the program a little more bluntly.

“It’s an offer they can’t refuse,” she said. “They can either straighten up or go back to jail.”

The total number of criminal code offences in Chilliwack fell to 9,928 in 2008 from 10,949 in 2007, according to the B.C. Solicitor General ministry report.

Only sex offences, theft from autos and vandalism in Chilliwack showed increases in 2008.

The number of sex offences rose to 69 from 52 in 2007; theft from autos rose to 1,511 from 1,307; vandalism rose to 1,670 from 1,559.

But on the positive side, the number of violent crimes in Chilliwack fell to 850 from 889, continuing a downward trend from a peak of 1,080 in 2005.

Assaults in Chilliwack also fell to 679 from 752, and property crimes to 5,133 from 5,664.

Break-and-enters fell to 1,085 from 1,267, continuing a trend that peaked in 2005 at 1,478. The 1,085 figure includes 531 residential break-and-enters, which is also down from the 695 reported in 2007.

Unfortunately, not all crime in B.C. showed a decrease in 2008.

There were 117 homicides, 29 more than in 2007, most of them gang-related.

Three of those homicides occurred in Chilliwack, but only one was gang-related.

Real estate agent Mike Gordon, 33, was shot and killed in what police described as a “gang-style hit” in Promontory last August.

Two Chilliwack teens were charged with second-degree murder in the stabbing death of 19-year-old Richmond teen Cody Gottschalk at Cultus Lake last May.

Adam Derek Phillips, 18, and Justin Wayne Lennard, 19, were each charged with second-degree murder, and a third suspect, 22-year-old Nathan John Simmons, also of Chilliwack, was charged with one count of aggravated assault and one count of assault causing bodily harm.

Earlier this week, 23-year-old Joshua Quinlan was sentenced to an additional three years and 11 months in jail after pleading guilty to the shooting death of 17-year-old Zachary Hobek last August in Chilliwack.

rfreeman@theprogress.com