The Whistler RCMP presented its 2024 year-end report and strategic plan to the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) March 11, highlighting a decrease in violent crimes but a significant rise in property crimes, particularly theft and fraud. The presentation was led by Sgt. Nathan Miller.
Overall, violent crime declined in 2024 by almost seven per cent. However, notable increases included a 14.2-per-cent rise in intimate partner violence. While the increase is concerning, RCMP said it has more to do with the tourism-driven nature of the ski town than issues between residents.
Miller explained a significant portion of intimate partner violence calls originate from the hotel industry, where disputes often arise among visiting couples. This poses a unique challenge for the RCMP, as follow-up support is harder to provide when individuals are not local residents. Despite the rise, Miller emphasized that Whistler experiences fewer violent domestic incidents compared to other communities, with most cases involving verbal disputes or minor altercations.
Miller noted assaults remain concentrated in the Village area, with August and December being the busiest months due to the influx of visitors.
Robbery increased by 100 per cent, though this reflects a rise from one case to two between 2023 and 2024. Sexual assault declined by just over three per cent, while total assaults dropped by more than nine per cent. Uttering threats increased by almost three per cent, and child pornography crimes decreased by 40 per cent (from five to three cases). Lastly, criminal harassment rose by 12.5 per cent.
Total property crime increased by 22.4 per cent between 2023 and 2024, with fraud and auto theft seeing the largest increases.
Fraud rose by 53.3 per cent, with Miller stating most cases involve credit card, gift card, and Bitcoin scams.
“With technology these days, the sophistication of fraud is definitely increasing. So, to help prevent it, we’re working on educating the business sector more to hopefully educate the staff,” he said.
Auto theft increased by 100 per cent, rising from 12 to 24 thefts. According to Miller, in most cases, the vehicles were left unlocked.
“It is great that we live in a safe community, but in almost all of these cases, people simply haven’t locked their cars or their homes. That alone, that little piece, would really help us deter these criminals,” he said.
Miller noted car thieves are coming from out of town, making it difficult to determine their identities. Thefts from vehicles also increased by 41.5 per cent.
Meanwhile, total collisions increased by 35.2 per cent year-over-year, with the highest number occurring in high-traffic areas such as Marketplace, Whistler Way, Highway 99 at Lake Placid Road/London Lane, Function Junction, and Highway 99 near Daisy Lake.
Injuries from motor vehicle accidents doubled, increasing from nine to 18. July, December, and January saw the most vehicle incidents. On a positive note, there were no fatalities on local roads in 2023 or 2024.
False alarms increased by 69.9 per cent, while public intoxication rose by just over eight per cent, with 11 more calls in 2024. Missing person reports increased by 12.3 per cent, with seven more cases than the previous year. Lost individuals in need of assistance rose by 66 per cent, from 48 to 80. Calls related to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act decreased by 54.7 per cent.
Overall, calls for service increased by eight per cent.
The RCMP’s Community Response Team (CRT), which focuses on outreach and mental-health-related calls, reported a significant increase in mental-health cases.
There was an 83.5-per-cent increase, with 255 total mental-health-related files in 2024.
Also on the rise are actions resulting in hospital admissions under Section 28 of the Mental Health Act, which allows for involuntary treatment when individuals pose a danger to themselves or others. These cases increased by 36.4 per cent, from 44 to 60.
Councillor Cathy Jewett inquired about the nature of cases leading to Section 28 admissions.
“We do have a couple of individuals who generate a significant number of calls for service. They are functioning in the community,” Miller said, noting their mental health conditions can fluctuate, sometimes requiring hospitalization.
For 2025-26, Whistler RCMP said it is focused on five key priorities.
The public safety building is slated for renovations, and the RCMP will continue working with local organizations on shared goals.
Bigger investments include the purchase of a drone and body-worn cameras. The drone will be used for search-and-rescue operations and may also be deployed alongside the fire department.
Lastly, there is a focus on a Sea to Sky strategic framework, which will outline management, accountability, and funding responsibilities for law enforcement roles in the region.
