Edmonton, AB — Edmonton has reported a significant decrease in its crime rate for 2023, showcasing the success of various targeted initiatives and collaborations between the Edmonton Police Service (EPS) and community partners. According to Statistics Canada’s annual police-reported crime statistics, Edmonton’s crime rate fell by 11% from 2022, marking one of the most substantial reductions among major Canadian cities. This decrease contrasts with a 3% increase in the national crime rate over the same period.
Ron Anderson, Chief Innovation and Technology Officer for EPS, attributes the decline to several strategic programs and partnerships. “We have developed and deployed successful, targeted initiatives that are now properly resourced with EPS members and our partners,” Anderson stated. Among these initiatives is the Edmonton Police Foundation’s “Community Accelerator” program, which has effectively combated crimes such as liquor store and catalytic converter theft. Additionally, the “Safer Public Spaces” initiative has targeted social disorder and victimization, particularly in Edmonton’s downtown core and surrounding communities.
The provincial government’s new Navigation Center and dedicated Light Rail Transit (LRT) deployments have also shown promise in reducing crime through the first two quarters of 2024.
The recent release of the 2023 national crime statistics by the Canadian Centre for Justice and Community Safety Statistics (CCJCSS) highlights a 2% increase in the national Crime Severity Index (CSI). This index, which considers the volume and severity of police-reported crime, has risen for the third consecutive year. Despite this, Edmonton’s overall CSI remained stable with a slight 0.6% increase from 2022 to 2023 and a 13% decrease from 2018 to 2023.
While Edmonton has made notable progress, challenges remain. The city’s violent CSI increased by 4% in 2023, with repeat offenders contributing significantly to this trend. “Make no mistake, violent crime continues to be a major concern in our city,” Anderson emphasized. Nonetheless, the overall crime rate in Edmonton has seen a downward trend, with property crime rates showing a significant 15% decrease from 2022 to 2023.
In 2023, Edmonton ranked 11th among Canadian metropolitan areas (CMAs) for the total crime rate, improving from 10th place in 2022. The city’s violent crime rate increased by 2%, placing it 18th among CMAs, while the property crime rate decreased, placing it 11th. These changes reflect the city’s ongoing efforts to address different types of crime effectively.
The overall non-violent CSI in Edmonton decreased by 1% from 2022 to 2023 and by 18% from 2018 to 2023. Key reductions were seen in theft under $5,000 from motor vehicles, failure to comply with orders, mischief, and breaking and entering.
EPS investigators noted a 7.7% increase in fraud-related crimes in 2023, alongside a rise in extortion incidents linked to Project Gaslight. Assault levels 1 and 2 remain areas of concern. Despite these challenges, the number of criminal incidents city-wide has decreased by 14% in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.
Anderson reaffirmed EPS’s commitment to evidence-based policing and collaboration with community partners. “While we still need to keep our foot on the crime-fighting pedal, we’re beginning to see some tangible traction with some of our targeted initiatives. EPS will continue to rely on evidence and data to deploy resources effectively while working collaboratively with our partners.”
Edmonton’s 11% drop in the crime rate for 2023 highlights the impact of targeted policing strategies and community partnerships. However, it raises the question: Do Edmontonians feel this reported decrease in their daily lives? As the city continues to address both violent and non-violent crime, understanding residents’ perceptions and experiences will be crucial in evaluating and enhancing public safety efforts.