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Increases in sexual assaults and kidnapping, but overall crime rates in Red Deer down significantly

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From the City of Red Deer

Crime statistics released for third quarter of 2018

Red Deer’s crime statistics for the third quarter of 2018 continue to show decreases in property crime totals and persons crimes when compared to the same time period in 2017.  This downward trend has continued over the last four consecutive quarters, beginning in October 2017 and continuing through September 30, 2018.  Total Criminal Code files also continue to show a decrease when compared to the same time periods the year before.

Property crime numbers for the third quarter show a 31% decrease in break and enters: 979 so far this year, compared to 1,129 during the same time period in 2017.  Likewise, theft of motor vehicles in 2018 are at 728, compared to 1,148 for the same time period in 2017 – a 37% decrease and the lowest theft of vehicle numbers Red Deer has seen in five years.

Fraud, theft under $5,000 and mischief to property also show similar decreases.  Total property crimes for 2018 have decreased to 8,977 from 12,987 over the same time frame in 2017, a 31% decrease.  Property crimes numbers for the first nine months of 2018 are the lowest they’ve been in the last five years.

 

In persons crimes, Red Deer has seen a 29% decrease in robberies compared to the same time period in 2017. Sexual assaults, however, continue to increase – the numbers are 35% higher than the same time frame in 2017.  Traffic collisions resulting in injury decreased from last year, while collisions involving property damage continue to be slightly higher than in 2017.  Traffic fatalities, however, have increased – Red Deer has experienced two fatalities as a result of traffic collisions so far this year.

Red Deer RCMP have seen consistent increase in calls to the RCMP complaint line in 2018, indicating the public’s commitment to reporting crime and helping police to target hot spots.  Calls to the complaint line have increased from 38,500 in the first nine months of 2017 to 39,781 in 2018, an increase of 3%.

“RCMP understand that crime feels more visible to the community than ever.  It can be difficult to believe that crime rates are declining when citizens see so many reports on crime-focused social media sites, and when some businesses keep getting hit by the same handful of career criminals.  But the overall numbers are in fact going down, and our commitment is to keep putting the pressure on those repeat offenders and returning them to jail at every opportunity,” says Superintendent Ken Foster, officer in charge of the Red Deer RCMP. “There are so many committed citizens in the community helping police every day, and we thank you for that.”

Crime statistics for each Alberta RCMP-policed jurisdiction are gathered by RCMP operations support analysts. These statistics are gathered in the same way for every detachment to ensure they are comparable and meet Statistics Canada requirements.

After 15 years as a TV reporter with Global and CBC and as news director of RDTV in Red Deer, Duane set out on his own 2008 as a visual storyteller. During this period, he became fascinated with a burgeoning online world and how it could better serve local communities. This fascination led to Todayville, launched in 2016.

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Crime

Suspected ambush leaves two firefighters dead in Idaho

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Quick Hit:

Two firefighters were killed and another wounded Sunday after a gunman opened fire on first responders tackling a blaze near Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. The shooter was later found dead, and authorities believe the fire may have been set to lure crews into an ambush.

Key Details:

  • The ambush began around 2 p.m. local time as fire crews arrived at a brush fire and were met with sniper-style gunfire from a wooded area.
  • SWAT teams located the deceased suspect roughly five hours later, with a weapon nearby. His identity has not yet been released.
  • The Kootenai County Sheriff said the ongoing fire could not be addressed during the gunfight, calling the attack a “heinous direct assault” on first responders.

Diving Deeper:

A deadly ambush on Sunday afternoon left two Idaho firefighters dead and a third injured after they were shot while attempting to contain a brush fire on Canfield Mountain. The surprise attack reportedly began around 2 p.m., when bullets suddenly rained down on emergency crews from hidden positions in the wooded terrain near Coeur d’Alene.

Authorities now believe the blaze may have been deliberately set as bait. Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris described the situation as “an active sniper attack,” saying the scene quickly escalated into chaos with gunfire coming from multiple directions.

“We don’t know if there’s one, two, three or four [shooters],” Norris said in an early evening press conference. “I’m hoping that someone has a clear shot and is able to neutralize [the suspect], because they’re not showing any signs of surrendering.”

Roughly five hours after the first shots were fired, SWAT officers found a body next to a firearm along the Canfield Mountain Trail. Authorities have not confirmed whether the individual was the sole assailant, nor have they publicly identified the person. The FBI, along with state and local agencies, had been deployed to the scene to assist with the operation.

The two firefighters who died have not yet been named. The third, who sustained a gunshot wound, was transported to Kootenai Health and remains hospitalized. His current condition is unknown.

The firefight effectively halted efforts to contain the brush fire, which remained active late into Sunday. “It’s going to keep burning. We can’t put any resources on it right now,” Norris said during the standoff. Shelter-in-place orders were issued for the surrounding area, including the popular Canfield Mountain Trailhead, but those restrictions were lifted after the suspect was found dead.

Idaho Governor Brad Little reacted to the tragedy on social media, calling the ambush “a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters.” He added, “Teresa and I are heartbroken. I ask all Idahoans to pray for them and their families as we wait to learn more.”

Federal and local officials are continuing to investigate the incident, including the origins of the fire and whether additional suspects may have been involved.

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Crime

Florida rescues 60 missing kids in nation’s largest-ever operation

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Quick Hit:

Florida authorities have recovered 60 “critically missing” children in a two-week operation across the Tampa Bay area. The joint state and federal effort, dubbed Operation Dragon Eye, led to eight arrests and uncovered new human trafficking investigations.

Key Details:

  • The children, aged 9 to 17, were found across Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco counties. The operation was carried out with help from the U.S. Marshals, state prosecutors, and local police departments.

  • Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier confirmed eight individuals were arrested on charges including human trafficking, child endangerment, and drug-related offenses. Additional investigations are underway.

  • The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) hailed the operation as the most successful child recovery effort in U.S. history, declaring, “Florida doesn’t look the other way — we hunt predators and bring kids home.”

Diving Deeper:

Over a two-week span, law enforcement agencies across Florida joined forces for what’s being called a historic child recovery mission. Dubbed Operation Dragon Eye, the coordinated effort led to the rescue of 60 critically missing children—some as young as 9 years old—in the Tampa Bay region, including Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco counties.

According to Fox 13, federal and state agencies worked alongside local law enforcement, with direct involvement from the U.S. Marshals Service and Florida prosecutors. The term “critically missing,” as defined by the Marshals Service, applies to minors facing heightened threats such as exposure to violent crime, sexual exploitation, substance abuse, or domestic violence.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier praised the operation’s success in a statement posted to social media Monday. “We will keep fighting evil head-on and bringing accountability to those who harm children,” he said, confirming eight suspects had been taken into custody, with additional investigations now underway related to human trafficking networks.

Charges filed against the arrested individuals include human trafficking, child endangerment, custodial interference, and drug possession.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement described the effort as “the most successful missing child recovery operation in American history.” In a statement, the agency said its analysts and field agents “were proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with the U.S. Marshals” and emphasized that “Florida doesn’t look the other way.”

Several nonprofits and local support groups played a vital role in caring for the recovered children, including More Too Life, the Children’s Home Network, Bridging Freedom, Bridges of Hope, Family Support Services of Pasco and Pinellas, and Redefining Refuge.

Dr. Katherine Gomez of the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice said many of these children had felt hopeless and alone. “Oftentimes these young people have felt like there’s no one in their corner. They feel abandoned… like they have to look out for themselves because no one else will,” she told WFLA.

FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass acknowledged the emotional toll such operations take on officers, who are exposed to the trauma these children endure. “They have to see everything that happens to these children, and we need to pray for them because they had to take that burden home,” he said.

Glass added that while the operation struck a major blow to human trafficking in the region, the threat remains. “The fight isn’t over.”

U.S. Marshal Bill Berger of the Middle District of Florida warned that traffickers often return to their victims if not apprehended. “If the offenders are not apprehended, they will reconnect with these children. They are, in my opinion, leeches,” Berger stated.

Officials vowed continued vigilance to keep predators behind bars and ensure every vulnerable child is found and protected.

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