(rdnewsNOW file photo)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

pilot project sticking around

Crime mapping to continue in Red Deer

Jul 6, 2020 | 4:54 PM

The community crime mapping tool pilot project introduced by The City of Red Deer and RCMP last July is getting new life.

On Monday, city council heard that the publicly accessible crime map will continue to operate for the foreseeable future.

The map utilizes RCMP technology to report on five types of property crime, including break and enter, mischief, theft from motor vehicle, theft of motor vehicle, and theft over/under $5,000.

“There was some trepidation with providing this for the community because it might affect property value, and some community groups were concerned it would have [other] impacts on their community, but we’ve heard nothing but positive comments and feedback,” said Paul Goranson, General Manager of Utilities and Protective Services.

“Communications has reported 20,000 website hits since it went live. At the time, a private group had actually started a crime map on Facebook and from what we understand that has stopped and been replaced by the map we’re using, which is a good thing because there’s no control of the data being provided to a volunteer-based map.”

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It was also noted that the crime map has increased transparency and trust between the public and the RCMP.

Information provided by the map has also been used by the Central Alberta Crime Prevention Centre to target neighbourhood education programs and to promote the Garage 529 program where bike thefts on reported in higher numbers.

“It seems to be working well,” said Councillor Buck Buchanan, who sits on the board of Crime Stoppers. “The board there is completely filled up, there’s lots of interest in Citizens on Patrol and Community Crime Watch. People are more interested and that’s the whole idea behind this thing.”

Buchanan originally proposed that Red Deer implement a crime map in 2015 — a notice of motion unanimously approved by the council of the day.

The cost for the crime mapping tool is built into the City’s policing budget.

Crime maps are also available in Innisfail, Blackfalds and Sylvan Lake.