Police stats suggest worrisome trends

The Kahnawake Peacekeepers opened more than twice as many mental health files in 2024 than the year prior, with major increases also seen in the number of assault and domestic violence files, year-end statistics reveal.

However, according to Peacekeepers spokesperson Kyle Zachary, a change to how reports are registered in the computer system could account for the variation, rather than any significant change last year in the number of incidents in the community.

In the past, reports were filed under a single category according to the type of call, with officers able to add additional information, which was uncategorized. However, officers are now able to add additional flags, which do show up in statistics, meaning anyone trying to draw inferences from this year’s statistics is working with an apples-to-oranges comparison. The system was updated at the end of 2023.

“I wouldn’t hit the panic button right away that all these instances are doubling,” Zachary said, adding that it’s more likely the current numbers reflect what was also happening in the past but was underrepresented in statistics.

Last year, the Peacekeepers opened 66 mental health files, compared to 32 in 2023. Meanwhile, the number of domestic violence files opened year over year ballooned from 34 to 59 in 2024, a 73 percent increase.

“Seeing the increase in domestic violence and mental health, it’s alarming at first, but when you know the circumstances surrounding the increase, you can see it’s a little more in line with previous years,” said Zachary.

While the update to the Peacekeepers’ system clouds any discernible trends, it is not the only possible factor for the high number of mental health reports last year.

“I don’t have numbers for you, but I can certainly attest to the fact that the levels of requests for help are really on a progressive increase,” said David Martel, psychologist and clinical supervisor for one of the mental wellness support teams at Kahnawake Shakotiia’takehnhas Community Services (KSCS).

“The more marked increase happened during the pandemic and shortly after. Now the slope is not as pronounced. The level of increase is not as sharp as during and right after the pandemic, but it is still on the increase.”

This is not necessarily a bad thing, Martel added, because this rise could be attributable to efforts to destigmatize mental health challenges, making people more likely to reach out for help.

“All the work that we’ve been doing on trauma and using what we call a trauma-informed approach really revolves around that, that if you’re in pain, there’s a reason for that, just as if you broke your legs, nobody would be doubting the validity of your pain. We’re trying to bring that same awareness to mental wellness,” he said.

That’s not to say there are not increasing pressures on mental wellbeing – Martel said factors like the worsening cost of living and even eco-anxiety may contribute to difficulties when it comes to mental health.

“What I do know for a fact is of course we do live in a stressful world, and when you add those factors up, of course you’ll see more people that reach the limit of what people can adapt to,” he said.

Martel confirmed that KSCS has also seen a sharp increase in domestic violence in the community in recent years.

Zachary said the policing statistics are important in part because they can serve as a useful resource across Kahnawake.

“It’s a snapshot of the community, of areas that need to be focused on by not just the Peacekeepers but other community organizations,” he said, noting that KSCS, for instance, would likely be interested in the mental health numbers.

Other notable trends include assaults, up to 102 from 79, a 29 percent increase, and mischief, up to 37 from 22. The number of fraud and impaired driving files also ticked up.

Warrants went down to 62 from 96. Break-ins also went down slightly, from 10 to 9, even as a rash of break-ins in early October aroused fear and outrage in the community.

Following the computation of the statistics, it remains business as usual for the Peacekeepers, Zachary said.

“The mission statement remains the same. We’re going to focus on the community, community policing above all else. Hopefully we’re going to see a more positive reduction in numbers next year,” he said.

Kahnawa’kehró:non struggling with mental health challenges can contact KSCS intake at 450-632-6880.

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Marcus Bankuti, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter