Swift Current City RCMP released their 2009 crime stats at this week's City Council meeting.

     Staff Sergeant Al MacDonnell says crimes against persons, including robberies, harassments, and threats were on the rise in 2009 at 118, compared to 92 in 2008, and 71 in 2007.

     MacDonnell says the number of threats have increased with the use of text messaging, as more threats are being conveyed that way.

     There were 38 break and enters to businesses in 2009, which is up from 21 in 2008.

     RCMP say 54 homes and garages were broken into in 2009, which is up from 40 in 2008, and 38 in 2007.

     MacDonnell says Swift Current is still a safe community, but people need to guard against crime by locking homes and vehicles, and not providing easy targets for criminals.