Prince George, BC –  Overall crime rates in the province are down in every major category, giving BC RCMP a reason to celebrate during Police Week…

Deputy Commissioner, Craig Callens, says, in each category used to measure crime rates – the Crime Severity Index, Property Crime, Violent Crime and Total Criminal Code Crime rates – overall rates dropped by as much as 8.4-percent from 2012 to 2013.

In releasing the RCMP's 2013 Year in Review document a joint investigation that resulted in a Prince George man being arrested last November following the seizure of a major weapons cache was highlighted.  As part of the investigation involving Prince George RCMP, North District, Federal Serious and Organized Crime and Canadian Border Services Agency, three handguns, seven rifles, a fully automatic M16, a fully automatic AK 47, two shotguns, and 31-thousand rounds of ammunition were seized. (click here, for previous story, 250News file photo)

Deputy Commissioner Callens points to good news on the road safety front, as well, with traffic fatalities down more than 8-percent and the number of serious injury collissions in areas policed by RCMP down nearly 23-percent from 2012 to 2013.

"We're highlighting the good news now, to ensure the public is aware of the work being done around the province's 122 RCMP detachments, and the specialized units and integrated teams," says Callens.

Also being touted by the RCMP, last year's unveiling of two new detachments – one in Golden and the other in Prince George.  Although officially opened on November 16th, the $39-million dollar Prince George detachment just saw officers and staff move in at the end of last month.