Edmonton was one of top 5 cities in Canada in reducing overall crime severity.
BACKGROUND OF THE 2021 STATISTICS CANADA REPORT
This week’s release of crime statistics shows Edmonton was one of the top five cities in Canada in reducing its overall crime severity between 2020 and 2021. Statistics Canada released its annual Police-reported Crime Statistics in Canada report on August 2, 2022. The report reflects some normalization of crime trends following two years of COVID-19 pandemic impacts on crime patterns and on the Crime Severity Index (CSI). Seen in the 2021 report and year-to-date in 2022 data tracked by the Edmonton Police Service (EPS), it is possible to begin to see some realignments in CSI reflecting a return to pre-pandemic social patterns, including workplace and business re-openings.
STATEMENT
“The 2021 Statistics Canada report shows that we’re closing gaps between the national. provincial and even regional rates across crime categories in 2021,” says Edmonton Police Chief, Dale McFee.
“We can see that many of our crime suppression and diversion initiatives are making a difference. Our people are working hard to apply innovative solutions, while working closely with community partners to enhance safety throughout the city.
“While we are pleased that we are closing key gaps, we are also paying attention to the fact that 2022 is showing some increasing trends in violent crime categories, such as assault.
“Many of the challenges we have seen so far in 2022 have been associated to neighbourhoods in and around the downtown core. We will continue to concentrate efforts in these areas of need, while adjusting our police resources where we can to stay on top of the trends we see continuing to evolve into 2022.”
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2021 STATISTICS CANADA REPORT
Total Crime Rate
- Edmonton Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) had the 6th highest police-reported total crime rate (4th highest in 2020) of all 35 CMAs in 2021. The City of Edmonton’s total crime rate decreased by 5% between 2020 and 2021.
- The Edmonton CMA violent crime rate was 17th highest among CMAs (16th in 2020), and decreased by 2% between 2020 and 2021, and by 7% between 2018 and 2021. The City of Edmonton’s violent crime rate is below both national and provincial averages and in line with the Edmonton CMA.
Edmonton’s total crime rate
Click to enlarge image
Total Crime Severity
- The overall CSI in the City of Edmonton has dropped by 9% between 2020 and 2021, and by 18% between 2018 and 2021, a greater reduction than seen in than all of Alberta (-11%) or the Edmonton CMA (-16%).
- Violations contributing to the change in the total CSI in Edmonton CMA were attributed to a decrease in breaking and entering, robbery, theft of $5,000 or under (non-motor vehicle) and shoplifting of $5,000 or under.
- This decrease was partially offset by increase in level 1 sexual assault, which increased 17% from 2020 to 2021. The national increase in level 1 sexual assault was 18% for the same period.
Edmonton’s total crime severity
Click to enlarge image
Violent Crime Severity
- Edmonton CMA had the 8th highest police-reported total violent CSI.Overall, the violent crime severity in the City of Edmonton is decreasing while the rate of the Edmonton CMA is more stable. The City of Edmonton violent CSI decreased by 4% in 2021, while the CMA violent CSI increased by 1% over the same period.
Edmonton’s violent crime severity
Click to enlarge image
Non-violent Crime Severity
- Edmonton CMA had the 7th highest police-reported total non-violent CSI. City of Edmonton’s non-violent CSI decreased 11% between 2020 and 2021 (-24 % from 2018 to 2021) and was driven by decreases in breaking and entering, theft of $5,000 or under (non-motor vehicle) and shoplifting of $5,000.
Edmonton’s non-violent crime severity
Click to enlarge image
