Edmonton saw a marked improvement in public safety, according to the Edmonton Police Service (EPS)‘s 2024 year-end crime analysis. While the city experienced an overall 2.5% decrease in total crime rates, certain trends highlighted victories and areas still needing attention.
The EPS reported a substantial decrease in Edmonton’s overall crime rate for 2024. At 2.5% lower than 2023, this marked a significant turning point for the city, which is seeing its lowest crime rate in more than a decade. The reduction aligns with key initiatives implemented by the EPS, including programs like the Safer Public Spaces strategy and the Guns and Gangs Strategy, aimed at prevention and early intervention in high-risk areas.
Alongside the crime rate drop, the crime severity index also decreased by 3.5% in 2024. The crime severity index takes into account the seriousness of the crimes committed, suggesting a substantial reduction in violent or severe incidents across the city.
One of the more complex takeaways from the 2024 analysis was the 5.1% increase in calls for service. This spike, amounting to 9,402 additional calls, could be seen as a reflection of both an increase in crime-related activity and a heightened public awareness of safety issues in neighborhoods. However, this uptick in calls also demonstrates that the EPS is more responsive than ever, actively addressing emerging situations and problems before they escalate.
While this might seem like an indication of rising crime, it’s also a signal that the EPS is more proactive, engaging with the community and identifying potential issues before they escalate fully. Officers now generate 14.4% of total calls for service, a 3.1% increase from the previous year, signaling a growing emphasis on proactive policing.
Edmonton’s LRT stations and transit centres saw a 12% increase in calls for service, a reflection of rising concerns about crime in these high-traffic areas. However, a positive trend emerged as well, with the average crime severity decreasing by 6% at LRT stations. This reduction suggests that heightened efforts in policing these spaces, such as the work of Transit and Community Safety (TRACS) teams, are having an effect.
The city’s focus on proactive engagement, particularly through officer-generated calls, is helping to reduce crime in these critical transit hubs while also ensuring that officers are better equipped to address public safety concerns before they become larger issues.
Despite the overall improvement in crime rates, violent criminal incidents saw an uptick of 1.8% between 2023 and 2024. This increase highlights the ongoing challenges of addressing violent crime in urban settings. While the overall violent crime rate remains relatively stable, certain crimes—especially those involving weapons—continue to require focused attention.
Notably, violent incidents involving knives increased slightly by 1%, whereas firearm and caustic spray incidents decreased. The modest rise in knife-related violence suggests that while efforts to curb gun violence are showing promise, the use of bladed weapons continues to be a pressing issue for Edmonton’s police.
While the overall number of domestic violence occurrences in Edmonton decreased by 3.1% in 2024, this continues a disturbing trend: since 2019, domestic violence has increased by 10.7%, signaling a persistent issue within the city. Domestic violence, particularly intimate partner violence, remains a significant concern that will require continued collaboration between law enforcement, social services, and the community to combat effectively.
Theft Under $5000 was the most prevalent criminal occurrence, with 24,747 incidents recorded. This category makes up the largest share of reported incidents, reflecting widespread concerns about property theft.
Following Theft Under $5000, Assault was the next most common crime, with 6,738 reported incidents. Although fewer in number, assault cases remain a notable portion of total occurrences and are a focus for the EPS in terms of both investigation and prevention.
Trouble with Person comes in third, with 6,210 reports. This category covers a broad range of conflicts involving individuals, further highlighting the challenges in dealing with public disturbances and interpersonal violence.
Close behind is Mischief – Property, with 6,092 occurrences. Likely including incidents of vandalism and property damage, this category points to ongoing concerns with public and private property security.
Theft of Motor Vehicle also remains a concern, with 4,500 incidents reported. While this number is lower than the categories above, vehicle theft continues to represent a significant issue for the city.
In light of the findings, Chief Dale McFee emphasized the importance of balanced policing and community support. “We’ve come out of 2024 with the lowest crime rate in a decade. Our strategic efforts to balance enforcement with support, our Community Safety Teams, High Risk Encampment Teams, and our work to help get the Navigation Centre up and running are all allowing police to be more responsive and address challenges before they escalate into larger issues,” McFee said.
He acknowledged the public’s concerns about disorder in the city, noting that “while police are at the forefront of dealing with these challenges, we know we do not address them alone.” McFee continued, stating that tackling the broader issues of disorder in the city will be crucial for improving how safe residents feel in their communities.
Crime Data Highlights
- Calls for Service: A 5.1% increase was recorded, adding 9,402 calls from 2023 to 2024.
- Criminal Incidents: Overall, the total number of criminal incidents decreased by 2.5%.
- Violent Incidents: The number of violent incidents saw a 1.8% increase in 2024.
- Domestic Violence: Despite a 3.1% decrease in 2024, domestic violence has increased by 10.7% since 2019.
- Weapon-related Crime: Violent crimes involving firearms and caustic spray decreased, while knife-related incidents slightly rose.
- LRT Crime Severity: Crime severity at LRT stations dropped by 6%, reflecting improved policing in transit areas.
- Theft Under $5000: 24,747 incidents, representing the most common crime occurrence.
- Assault: 6,738 incidents.
- Trouble with Person: 6,210 reports.
- Mischief – Property: 6,092 occurrences.
- Theft of Motor Vehicle: 4,500 incidents.
The 2024 crime report from the Edmonton Police Service paints a picture of mixed progress in addressing the city’s criminal challenges. While the crime rate and severity have shown significant improvements, issues like violent crime, particularly those involving knives, and domestic violence remain focal points for ongoing policing and community efforts.
Moving forward, the EPS will continue to push for more proactive policing and greater collaboration with community partners to tackle Edmonton’s persistent safety issues.