By Gary McKinnon

CRIME STATS

First quarter crime stats rise in Red Deer

May 7, 2019 | 6:45 AM

RED DEER- 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 the first quarter of 2019 are showing increases, said Superintendent Grobmeier, Officer in Charge of the Red Deer RCMP. “It’s not necessarily unusual to see increases after such a prolonged period 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:

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

– There were 27 robberies, compared to 20 in 2018.

– Sexual assaults increase by 20 percent.

– Total property crime increased by 41 per cent, however that is 27 per cent lower than the same time period on 2017.

– Theft under $5,000 increased by 30 per cent, that is still 31 per cent lower than the same time period in 2017.

– Break and enters increased by 39 per cent.

– There were 377 vehicles stolen, 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 factors that 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 and unlocked.”

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.

“It is highly discouraging to see an increase in our quarterly crime stats for the first quarter of 2019, however, community safety and crime reduction will continue to remain a priority for Council until we see results,” states Mayor Veer. “One of the strongest goals in Council’s new strategic plan is to ensure Red Deer is a safe and secure community for all citizens. We’ve made investments and have made progress in this area in the past, and we’ll continue this intensive focus in the future to resolve our safety challenges.”

Red Deer crime statistics are released on a quarterly basis. For more detailed information, please see the 2019 first quarter crime statistics (pdf) .