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Annual Policing Plan

Crime in Sylvan Lake down according to RCMP

Feb 20, 2020 | 9:52 AM

Police in Sylvan Lake say the community has seen an overall drop in crime over the past year.

According to RCMP, 2019 crime statistics show an overall seven per cent drop in Criminal Code matters, a nine per cent drop in property crime, and 30 per cent decrease in charges of theft under $5,000.

However, Mounties note a five per cent increase in vehicle thefts and a concerning 55 per cent increase in break and enters.

Staff Sergeant Jeff McBeth, Detachment Commander for Sylvan Lake RCMP, says the overall drop in crime is positive.

“That goes to show just the great work that the members of Sylvan Lake were doing last year,” says McBeth. “It kind of gives people a piece of mind when everybody is very concerned about rural property crime. To show a decrease for the town in that area is one I’m very proud of.”

McBeth attributes the overall drop in crime to Operation Lighthouse – a crime reduction strategy similar to that of Project Pinpoint in Red Deer.

“Throughout the course of last year and this year, our members have been very successful to those who are on court-ordered conditions, are held accountable.”

According to McBeth, Sylvan Lake Mounties are going to continue using Operation Lighthouse, while looking to evolve the way in which the RCMP conducts its business.

“There are other strategies I’m looking to develop here, to continue to allow our police force to be intelligence-led and trying to get ahead of the curve, being proactive instead of reactive,” he explains. “That not only has to do with Sylvan Lake, but it’s our rural community as well that has high expectations on us to help reduce crime there, and those expectations are realistic.”

McBeth admits that addressing a 55 per cent increase in break-and-enters will be high on their radar.

“When you’re away at work, you should have that feeling of total safety,” says McBeth. “It’s such a violation of your trust to have someone in your home that’s not welcome. That’s one thing I’m not happy that is high, but it’s certainly something that I’m going to be focusing a lot on and how we can get that number down and reduce it as much as I possibly can.”