From The City of Red Deer

First quarter crime stats show increases

According to statistics, crime in the first quarter of 2019 has increased compared to the same time period last year, but remains lower than in previous years.

“Throughout 2018 and the tail end of 2017, we consistently saw decreases across key areas, including break and enter and theft of motor vehicles; however, the numbers for this first quarter of this year are showing increases, said Superintendent Grobmeier, Officer in Chargeof the Red Deer RCMP. “It’s not necessarily unusual to see increases after such a prolongedperiod of significant decreases, but we know we need to act to ensure this increase doesn’t become a trend.”

When comparing the first quarter of 2019 to the first quarter of 2018, total Criminal Code files increased by 27 per cent; however, this it is still 22 per cent lower than the same time period in 2017. Select first quarter results include:

 Total persons crimes increased slightly, by seven per cent; however this has remained relatively steady over a three year period.

o We had 27 robberies, compared to 20 in 2018.o Sexual assaults increase by 20 percent.

 Total property crime increased by 41 per cent; however it is 27 per cent lower than the same time period on 2017.

o Theft under $5,000 increased by 30 per cent; however it is still 31 per cent lower than the same time period in 2017.

o Break and enters increased by 39 per cent.
o We had 377 stolen vehicles, compared to 177 in the same time period in 2018.

“We recognize that an increase in crime rates is not what the community wants to see, and it isn’t what we want to see either,” said Superintendent Grobmeier. “There are several factorsthat we believe contributed to some of the increases, including extreme weather this winter, which unfortunately translated into many vehicles being stolen while they were running andunlocked.”

One of the ways police are working to reduce crime is through Pinpoint, a made in Red Deer program that targets repeat offenders and crime hotspots. Between January 7, 2019 and April 8, 2019, Red Deer RCMP conducted 521 checks on targeted people and addresses identified through Pinpoint, including nine identified people on parole and/or probation and 42 more career criminals with an active history of property crime. Police also conducted another 1,368 checks in crime hot spots. During the first quarter of 2019, 140 charges have been laid specific to targets identified through Pinpoint, and 108 warrants have been executed.