Prince Albert Police Note Decrease in Violent, Non-Violent Crime
Today, the Canadian Centre for Justice and Community Safety Statistics (Statistics Canada) released the 2020 Crime Statistics and the Crime Severity Index (CSI) values for Canada. The annual rankings use police-reported data to compare the severity of crime and violent crime in approximately 300 communities with populations over 10,000.
Rankings for 2020 show a decrease in both violent and non-violent crime in our community last year, ranking Prince Albert 7th overall for cities with a population of more than 10,000 people. In both 2019 and 2018, Prince Albert ranked 6th overall.
Our community ranked 5th in violent crime, according to 2020 data. This is a decrease from the previous year when Prince Albert was ranked 3rd. Non-violent crime also decreased in 2020, from 9th to 10th place.
The statistics represent the lowest overall ranking and the lowest non-violent ranking for Prince Albert in 10 years. This year’s CSI statistics show violent crime is at its second-lowest level in the last decade. Prince Albert also ranked 5th for violent crime in both 2014 and 2012. The rankings do not reflect this current year.
Every year, the police service reviews data contained in the annual rankings, including the various factors that can lead to crime in our community, including poverty, addictions, and mental health concerns. The police service also tracks trends and statistics on a daily basis and has a number of targeted enforcement initiatives aimed at combatting weapons violence, drugs, and property crime.
“Our community and our police service were faced with different challenges in 2020,” said Police Chief Jonathan Bergen. “In addition to targeted enforcement, the police service continues to deploy resources to proactive initiatives aimed at engaging with the wider community in a positive way while also working with government and agency partners to promote healthy lifestyles for individuals and families.”