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Downtown Crime

Edmonton is consistently plagued by band-aid solutions in pretty much every aspect of government. It's politically risky to spend the money to solve these problems at their root cause and so nobody actually wants to take the potential political hit to make these things happen. As we see here, increased police presence downtown has just led to crime moving around. It's the same thing with removing homeless encampments, all you do is move the problem to a different area of the city. The issue still exists since there has been nothing done to attack the problem at the root. In this case, an opioid crisis and an increasingly desperate homelessness problem. Increasing police presence is like taking an advil for a brain tumor.

Unless governments step up and provide high quality social services and shelters, homelessness and crime will continue to be a problem in Edmonton.
 
erudyk_29 said:
Edmonton is consistently plagued by band-aid solutions in pretty much every aspect of government. It's politically risky to spend the money to solve these problems at their root cause and so nobody actually wants to take the potential political hit to make these things happen. As we see here, increased police presence downtown has just led to crime moving around. It's the same thing with removing homeless encampments, all you do is move the problem to a different area of the city. The issue still exists since there has been nothing done to attack the problem at the root. In this case, an opioid crisis and an increasingly desperate homelessness problem. Increasing police presence is like taking an advil for a brain tumor.

Unless governments step up and provide high quality social services and shelters, homelessness and crime will continue to be a problem in Edmonton.
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Exactly this!

We have seen a large increase in encampments and issues in Cromdale since EPS increased its enforcement in Chinatown. It's pretty galling to be having my tax dollars being used to relocate challenges into my neighborhood. You cannot deal with social disorder by enforcement! We have a critical lack of shelter space, real housing, and supports for a growing number of people in crisis. Anything other than building social housing and properly funding support programs is a waste of time and money.
 
Oh at some point the miserly provincial government will just add a few more more temporary shelter spaces and glibly pretend they have solved the problem.

This is exactly what is wrong with our governments - temporary solutions to permanent problems.
 
SarcasticMarmot said:
Exactly this!

We have seen a large increase in encampments and issues in Cromdale since EPS increased its enforcement in Chinatown. It's pretty galling to be having my tax dollars being used to relocate challenges into my neighborhood. You cannot deal with social disorder by enforcement! We have a critical lack of shelter space, real housing, and supports for a growing number of people in crisis. Anything other than building social housing and properly funding support programs is a waste of time and money.
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A balanced approach is needed. Unfortunately the no enforcement approach hasn't worked either and has led to serious issues.
 

Safer streets for Edmonton​

December 12, 2023 Media inquiries
Alberta’s government is fighting rising crime in Edmonton with an $8.3-million investment to help hire 50 new police officers.

Edmontonians have a right to walk through their city streets or take public transit without fearing for their safety. Due to rising acts of violence, the government is taking direct action to keep Edmontonians safe.
By investing in the Edmonton Police Service (EPS) to support their efforts to recruit, train and deploy 50 new officers, high-crime areas like transit centres and the downtown core will see increased police presence.
“Our government will do whatever it takes to address the concerning escalating crime rates, particularly in vital areas like public transit and the downtown core where social disorder is prevalent. This funding will help strengthen the capabilities of law enforcement and make sure they have the necessary tools and personnel to improve public safety and fight criminals who continue to prey on vulnerable residents.”
Mike Ellis, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services
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The EPS is actively recruiting new members for this initiative. These additional officers will be strategically placed in high-crime areas with the flexibility to be redeployed to other parts of the city based on evolving needs. Provincial funding will help pay for police officer salaries and benefits and equipment needs like vehicles, uniforms, radios and body-worn cameras.
“These are much-needed resources, and though hiring and training will take time before officers hit city streets, we know their presence will accelerate our existing efforts. We have redeployed our front-line resources to places like transit and the downtown and have increased recruit class sizes to get ahead of service demands, and these additional officers are the next step in tackling Edmonton’s high-crime areas. We are grateful for the funding and support of the provincial government and look forward to the impact the officers will have on our streets.”
Dale McFee, chief, Edmonton Police Service
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“Edmontonians have been loud and clear that safe public spaces are a priority. The funding and prioritization of transit centres and the core is an investment in our shared, long-term commitment to create a safe and vibrant city.”
Sarah Hamilton, Ward sipiwiyiniwak councillor, City of Edmonton
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“The Edmonton Police Commission has advocated for police funding necessary to address the myriad community safety issues facing our city, and we appreciate the provincial government making good on its commitment to fund 50 additional front-line officers. This investment will help support the police service’s long-term strategy of making our streets safer.”
Erick Ambtman, chair, Edmonton Police Commission
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“The DRC appreciates the collaborative effort the Edmonton Police Service and provincial government have put into addressing high-crime areas. We know from other cities that the presence of law enforcement and proactive policing increases the perception of safety and can even reduce incidents of crime and disorder. Through this funding, we look forward to seeing more police deployed throughout the core, working towards a safer, more vibrant and more connected downtown.”
Alex Hryciw, chair, Downtown Recovery Coalition
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The addition of new officers builds on several actions the government has already taken to improve public safety on Edmonton’s streets, including implementing a pilot project to team Alberta Sheriffs with EPS officers, adding more local positions to the Sheriffs’ Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) unit, and a $5-million grant to improve safety on the city’s transit network.

Quick facts​

  • Funding breakdown:
    • $4.5 million for officer salaries and benefits
    • $2.5 million for one-time costs like vehicles, uniforms, radios and workstations
    • $850,000 for ongoing technology costs
    • $500,000 for one-time recruitment expansion efforts

Related news​

Multimedia​


Media inquiries​

Arthur Green ​

587-357-0108
Press Secretary, Public Safety and Emergency Services
 
On the section of Jasper Ave I walk regularly, almost every day, I have only seen twice in the last two years. However, I think they may have been going to lunch or a meeting, so not sure if that even counts.
 
Increased funding, more capital funding in the budget, salary settlement, funding formula.

EPS has been getting a lot lately, and frankly I haven't seen them downtown often at all. Twice for me too in the last year.

They're always driving by though :)

At this point, the wacky conspiracy part of my brain thinks the EPS likes using downtown as the funding boogeyman to hold over city council. I know there's been stuff like COTT but that's a Peace Officer initiative if I'm not mistaken?
 
Kosy123 said:
Increased funding, more capital funding in the budget, salary settlement, funding formula.

EPS has been getting a lot lately, and frankly I haven't seen them downtown often at all. Twice for me too in the last year.

They're always driving by though :)

At this point, the wacky conspiracy part of my brain thinks the EPS likes using downtown as the funding boogeyman to hold over city council. I know there's been stuff like COTT but that's a Peace Officer initiative if I'm not mistaken?
Click to expand...
Honestly, it wouldn't surprise me if this was the case.
 
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