By MARK HAMILTON The only increase was in the number of thefts, which ‘climbed from 1,495 in 1982 to 1,697 last year. **About SO per cent of those are thefts from autos,’’ says Cst. Dave Marskell, head of the two-man Crime Prevention Unit in West Van- couver. ‘‘Shoplifting takes care of about another 40 per cent.”’ Statistics for other criminal cases show marked decreases. Robberies dropped from 25 in 1982 to 22 in 1983 and the number of break and enter- ings was down from 519 in 1982 to '480 last. year. While the number of in- cidents dropped, the value of stolen property rose as thieves picked up $1.34. million worth of goods in 1983, a 26 per cent increase over 1982..- “The good news is that the value of stolen property recovered is up 18 per cent,’ says Marskell. ‘‘We went from $175,000 in 1982 to $380,000 last year.”’ Four -other major crime groups showed decreases, some of those major, The number of fraud cases drop- ped from 228 to 183, sexually-related incidents went from 36 to 10, drug cases dropped from 90 to 63 and assaults are down to 132 from 170. Marskell credits part of the reason for the decline to in- creased awareness among West Van residents of the _ The vicim:of 4 thief with an-eye-~* for art appeals for some help. nation-wide trend to higher.” crime rates. **The residents want to en- sure that West Van is not af- fected the same way that other areas are,’ Marskell said. That’s illustrated, he said, by growing interest shown in the detachment’s crime prevention programs. The second reason for the decline is a concentrated ef- fort by the West. Van Police patrol section, resulting in a higher profile for the crime- fighters. ‘Good news on the crime front is off-set by increases in the. number of = drinking- driving charges and suspen- sions handed out during 1983. Says Marskell: ‘‘We're one of the few detachments in B.C. where not only are the number of impaired charges up but so are the number of road-side suspensions."’ impaired driving charges jumped from 220 in 1982 to 257 last year, a 16 per cent increase. At the same time, the number of suspensions was up 75 per cent, from 286 in 1982 to a whopping 501 last year. Increased efforts at cutiing into the number of drinking drivers appear to be paying off, though. There were 1,520 motor vehicle accidents In 1983, down from 1,535 the year before, and only one traffic fatality compared with six in 1982. . The News will carry a full report on North Vancouver's 1983 crime statistics in. Wednesday's edition. A3 - Sunday, January 29, 1984 - North Shore News ‘Automotive ........ B6 ‘Business «......... Ba ‘Entertainment -.... BY Fishes «03 FO UNSEASONABLY WARM temperatures are making it possible for some late night strolls to take in the breathtaking sights available to West Vancouver residents. Above, the water- front, the night sky and the fights of nearby highrises combine for a peaceful evening scene.