Red Deer criminals were less busy this winter than a year ago, according to City of Red Deer statistics released this week.
The data recorded from January through March 31 showed nearly a 17 per cent drop in crimes against people, a slight decrease of 1.5 per cent in property crimes, and a nine per cent decrease in Criminal Code offences overall. The first-quarter stats are compared with the same period in 2012.
“We are happy to see the number of offences decrease in most areas, with significant improvement in the number of persons crimes,” said city manager Craig Curtis in a news release. “We continue to work on the role of policing, perceptions of safety, crime prevention, and community involvement as it relates to the safety charter.”
People can expect to see continued focus on these areas through 2013 and into 2014, he added.
Mayor Morris Flewwelling called Red Deer a safe community.
“But we can, and should, always explore ways to improve the overall health and safety of our city as identified in city council’s strategic direction.”
One homicide was reported during the first three months, the same as last year. Robberies totalled 27 in the 2013 period, compared to 33 in the 2012 period, or an 18 per cent decrease.
Assaults dropped by nearly 22 per cent — 361 in the 2013 period from 462 the same time last year.
Overall persons offences numbered 724 in the first three months, while in 2012 the number was 870.
Property crimes totalled 2,248 in 2013 period and 2,282 in 2012.
Break-ins slipped by 14 per cent, with 193 reported from January through March. During the same period in 2012, 225 were reported.
Fraud cases also dipped by nearly 13.5 per cent, with 200 cases in the 2013 period from 231 in the 2012 period.
However, possession of stolen property rose by 40 per cent — 77 for 2013 from 55 for 2012.
Theft of motor vehicles jumped by nearly 48 per cent, with 158 reported for the first three months of this year, compared to 107 during the 2012 period.
The number of weapons cases also increased by 34.5 per cent — 74 for the 2013 period from 55 for the 2012 period.
Theft under $5,000 increased slightly by 2.3 per cent — 916 during 2013 from 895 last year.
Drug possession offences decreased by nearly 17 per cent, with 139 reported in the 2013 period, as opposed to 167 in the 2012 period.
Provincial traffic offences dropped 58 per cent — 2,558 in the 2013 period from 6,084 in the 2012 period.
Criminal code traffic offences dipped three per cent, with 345 reported this year from 356 in the same 2012 period.
No fatal collisions were reported in either first quarter.
The total number of motor vehicle collisions came in at 1,084 for the first quarter this year, against 1,018 in the 2012 period, or a 6.5 per cent increase.
ltester@www.reddeeradvocate.com