Lacombe Police Chief Lorne Blumhagen

By Troy Gillard

YEARLY UPDATE

Crime up in Lacombe in 2019: report

May 26, 2020 | 5:35 PM

Overall crime was up in 2019 in the city of Lacombe.

The Lacombe Police Commission and Lacombe Police Service (LPS) 2019 Annual Report was presented to city council on Monday.

In 2019, Lacombe police received 6953 reported calls for service, which is down 1.25% from 2018 (7,042 calls) but 7% higher than the 5-year average of 6507 calls for service.

Crimes against persons in Lacombe were up 5% last year, with notable increases in assaults (16%) and uttering threats (30%).

“These increases can be attributed to online threats made on platforms such as (but not limited to) Facebook and Instagram,” the report reads.

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Property crimes were up 8% in Lacombe last year, including a 30% increase in mischief. Break and enters, frauds and possession of stolen property incidents were all up slightly over last year. Theft under $5,000 was down 17% while theft over $5,000 was up 50%.

Drug offences fell by 55% thanks to the legalization of cannabis. Other criminal code offences increased by 12% while impaired driving offences were down 7%.

Domestic violence incidents in Lacombe increased 5% last year, which is up from a 17% decrease shown in 2018.

“In all categories the number of charges laid decreased to 3194 which represents a 1.75% decrease over 2018 in 2019,” noted LPS Chief Lorne Blumhagen.

Traffic-wise, Lacombe had 245 reported collisions in 2019 with 25 resulting in injuries with no fatalities. The highest concentration of collisions is still noted to be at the intersection of Highway 12 and Highway 2A with a second area of concern at Woodland Drive and Highway 2A.

In 2019 the Lacombe Police Commission completed a Community Survey in which the Police Service received an 82% satisfaction rating.

A Provincial Standards Audit conducted in October by the Alberta Solicitor General’s Department showed the Lacombe Police Service met or exceeded requirements in all areas, the report highlights.

A copy of the full report can be read here.