Mental health-related calls to Whistler RCMP jumped 83 percent in 2024, one of the most striking trends in the detachment’s annual policing report presented to the municipal council this week. Mental health apprehensions — used when individuals are believed to pose a danger to themselves or others — also rose by 36 percent.
“Mental health is definitely a pandemic right now,” said Sgt. Nate Miller, crediting the detachment’s dedicated mental health worker and collaboration with local agencies, including Whistler Community Services Society and Vancouver Coastal Health, for helping connect individuals with support.
Overall, Whistler RCMP fielded 5,162 calls for service in 2024, an eight-per-cent decline from the previous year. Officers laid 116 charges, down six percent from 2023. Violent crime declined by seven percent, with a nine-per-cent drop in assaults. Reports of sexual assault remained nearly unchanged, with 30 cases compared to 31 in 2023, while domestic violence reports rose slightly from 28 to 32.
Property crime, meanwhile, increased by 22 percent, driven by sharp jumps in fraud (up 53 percent), auto theft (up 100 percent), and thefts over $5,000 (up from three to 13 incidents). Many of these larger thefts and vehicle crimes are linked to prolific offenders from outside the community, often dealing with addiction issues, Miller said.
Motor vehicle collisions rose by 35 percent, resulting in 18 injuries — double the number from the previous year — though no fatalities were reported. Impaired driving charges fell by 10 percent, with five officers recognized on Alexa’s Team, an honour given to those who advance at least a dozen impaired-driving investigations annually.
The report also noted a 55-per-cent drop in drug-related calls, an 18-per-cent increase in disturbance calls, and a 13-per-cent rise in missing person reports.
Looking ahead, Whistler RCMP plans to expand their capabilities by purchasing a drone for search operations and introducing body-worn cameras. The municipality is also preparing to cover a larger share of policing costs — expected to rise from 70 to 90 percent of the $5.4-million budget — once Whistler’s population surpasses 15,000 in the 2026 census.