The City of Red Deer saw fewer criminal code offences from April to June 2022 when compared to the same time period in 2021.
Red Deer RCMP Supt. Holly Glassford presented the quarterly community policing report during city council’s regular meeting on Monday.
From April to June, there were 4,199 total criminal code violations, which is a 10 per cent decrease from the same time period in 2021.
Through the quarter, there were 672 persons crimes, a 13 per cent decrease from 2021, 2,574 property crimes, a nine percent decrease, and 953 other criminal code offences, down 13 per cent.
While overall persons crimes are down, there were seven offences related to death, compared to one during the same quarter in 2021. Additionally, there were 364 assaults, which was 13 more than last year,
Meanwhile, Red Deer RCMP saw a notable increase in traffic offences from April to June. There were 179 criminal code traffic offences, a 40 per cent increase from 2021, and 2,397 provincial code traffic violations, a 35 per cent increase. There were 18 other traffic violations, which is 10 fewer than in 2021.
There were 599 motor vehicle collisions from April to June this year, compared to 493 last year.
There were 118 Controlled Drugs and Substances Act offences through the three-month period in 2022, compared to 156 in 2021.
Coun. Lawrence Lee asked Glassford about the downtown and the negative reputation is has with some individuals.
“Downtown Red Deer is a safe place to be,” Glassford said, adding she feels the reputation it has on social media “gets out of hand” at times.
“I would encourage Red Deerians to get downtown and interact with our downtown unit and our two (community police officers), who have just joined the team.”
Coun. Vesna Higham said one of the biggest complaints she receives from members of the public is that of open drug use. Glassford said the best thing residents can do if they see something like that, is to call the RCMP’s non-emergency line.
“It’s important that the community members in Red Deer call in complaints when they see them,” said Glassford.
The Alberta RCMP and Justice Solicitor General’s 2022-25 joint business plan was presented to council on Monday as well.
The business plan’s three priorities through 2024 are police response and visibility, crime reduction, and engaged community partners.
sean.mcintosh@reddeeradvocate.com
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