“The longevity of the CAT initiative not only demonstrates its effectiveness in fighting crime, but our continued commitment to fighting crime in all city communities,” says EPS Deputy Chief Tony Harder. “As calls for service increase, CAT deployments become force multipliers that help ramp up our crime management strategies. We’re able to be less reactive and more proactive, putting police officers and resources where the crimes and offenders are, as well as addressing specific community concerns.”
The CAT initiative was developed for the EPS Violence Reduction Strategy to bring together police and community partners to address violence, crime and disorder in at-risk neighbourhoods. Based on neighbourhood crime reporting and analysis, a high-crime area is saturated with mobile, highly-visible police units that target specific crimes with prevention, intervention and suppression tactics. Community partners and volunteers help educate residents on crime prevention, and various social agencies connect vulnerable persons with needed services.
Since its first monthly deployment in the McCauley neighbourhood in September 2011, CAT has been successful in addressing a wide range of criminal and social issues. CAT has been responsible for approximately: 1,826 arrests, 1,416 charges, 5,153 warrant executions, 5,373 vehicle stops, 3,944 traffic tickets, 156 housing referrals, 89,551 public interactions, and numerous other positive interventions that cannot be counted.
Because of the success of the CAT initiative, EPS has dedicated a sergeant and four constables to coordinate all future deployments across the city to ensure operational consistency and efficiency. The new unit will also provide support to crime and offender management initiatives being conducted by EPS divisional members.
“We commend the police for responding to community needs through an increased presence in areas of vulnerability,” says Jan Fox, REACH Edmonton Executive Director. “We are thankful that REACH and other social agencies can be involved as this clearly recognizes that enforcement and prevention go hand in hand.”
This week, CAT will be focusing its resources on reducing the growing number of property crimes such as break and enters and auto thefts in the city’s west-end. Police will be out patrolling identified hot spot locations, targeting all criminal activity, and conducting offender management.
Members of the public are invited out to the CAT deployment to speak with officers about their particular crime problems and to receive crime prevention materials at the EPS Mobile Action Centre. Community partners such as REACH, Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society, the Edmonton Native Healing Centre, and CEASE will be available for consultation as well. The EPS Canine Unit and the EPS Blue Line Racing Team will be making special appearances, and there will also be a free community barbecue held nightly. Everyone is welcome.
- Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, 2015, 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Westmount Centre Mall, 111 Avenue and Groat Road, Northeast Parking Lot
CAT 50th Deployment Cake Cutting at approximately 4:45 p.m. on Sept. 30
- Oct. 2 and 3, 2015, 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Shoppers Drug Mart – Jasper Gate, 10116 150 Street, Parking Lot
For more information about the EPS Community Action Team and the Violence Reduction Strategy, please visit www.edmontonpolice.ca/CAT.