Lethbridge crime on the decline, according to annual Statistics Canada report
Since 2019, Lethbridge has had the highest rate of severe crime of any Canadian city but 2022 numbers released by Statistics Canada tell a new tale.
The city dropped from first to third on Statistics Canada's annual Crime Severity Index report, or CSI.
It calculates the volume and seriousness of crimes in a community.
The decline includes an eight per cent decrease in crime severity and a five per cent drop in crime rate in 2022.
"As the crime and CSI is increasing across the country and in the province, we are showing a downward trend in both those categories, which is significant," said Lethbridge Police Service Chief Shahin Mehdizadeh.
Lethbridge Police Service Chief Shahin Mehdizadeh
In 2021, the city sat at a CSI of 129.5, compared to 2022's 119.
Comparatively, the national CSI is up four per cent while Alberta's rose by two per cent.
Police and the city say the drop in numbers is due to a lot of effort and hard work on both sides.
Over the past four years, Lethbridge's CSI has dropped by almost 16 per cent.
"We still have a lot of work to do, but I'm very proud to call this community my home as we are moving toward a good direction," Mehdizadeh told media on Thursday.
"There's so much more we can do but we will continue to do what we can, advocate for the resources we need, stay in touch with our police commission and chief to make sure that the resources that they need are available," added Lethbridge Mayor Blaine Hyggen.
Lethbridge Mayor Blaine Hyggen
The report only looks at cities with a municipal police force.
That leaves out some large communities such as Red Deer and Grand Prairie, which are policed by the RCMP.
"When you include 10,000 plus, we are ranked number 36," Mehdizadeh said.
"So we just go way down because there are a lot of communities that could be 1,000 people, less than 10,000, but they are not factored in this group."
The city did see a slight rise in the number of violent crimes, increasing by 1.4 per cent.
The majority of crimes in the city are opportunity-driven but even those have begun going down.
Lethbridge dropped from first to third on Statistics Canada's annual Crime Severity Index report, or CSI.
Police note residents' continued efforts.
"I just want to thank our citizens for all of the work they're doing," said Mehdizadeh.
Mehdizadeh says the plan is to add at least 10 new officers to the force within the next year and the hope is the increased presence will help drive down the CSI even further for 2023.
To view the Statistics Canada Crime Severity Index report, you can visit their website.
Lethbridge dropped from first to third on Statistics Canada's annual Crime Severity Index report, or CSI.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Teen was doing homework at family's Mississauga, Ont. restaurant when gunman opened fire: testimony
The 13-year-old sister of a young man killed in the attack on her family’s Mississauga restaurant in 2021 took the stand in a Brampton courthouse on Monday to describe the terrifying moments of coming under fire.
'Repetitive partisan conduct': Conservatives to force vote on ousting Speaker Greg Fergus
The federal Conservatives have advanced a motion that will force MPs to vote on whether to oust Greg Fergus as House of Commons Speaker, after MPs' deputy adjudicator ruled Monday that the Liberal member's allegedly errant partisan event invite required urgent attention.
Trial for B.C. man accused of killing, dismembering wife begins
The trial for a Langley man accused of killing his wife began Monday, with the prosecutor laying out a disturbing series of facts agreed upon by both Crown and defence.
Henrique to play in Game 3 of Western Conference final; Hintz a game-time decision
Adam Henrique is set to join the action. Roope Hintz might be doing the same.
What a CBSA strike could look like, according to an expert
Slowed or interrupted travel, the passing of goods and significantly restricted borders should be expected if Canadian border workers take upcoming strike action.
WATCH Alta. man rescues wild foal trapped on steep cliffside
A man's daring rescue of a newborn wild foal that was trapped after falling down a steep embankment was caught on video over the weekend.
Severe thunderstorms, tornado watch in some areas of Canada. Here's where
Depending on where you live, you can expect to get a mixed bag of weather this week, as local forecasts predict heavy rain, strong wind, severe thunderstorms and even snowfall across some areas of Canada.
B.C. senior prepares to move due to devastating effects of fraud
A Courtenay, B.C., senior is downsizing and packing to move as she comes to accept she can no longer afford to stay in her home, after falling victim to a scam that robbed her of her life savings worth more than $100,000.
Israel close to approving Gaza reunification program before Rafah invasion: Miller
Immigration Minister Marc Miller says Israel seemed to be on the verge of approving a program to get Palestinian relatives of Canadians out of the Gaza Strip before the country's invasion of the town of Rafah.