BACKGROUND
The year-end crime analysis provides an overview of crime, violence and victimization in our city. The 2022 analysis reflects some normalization of crime trends following the COVID-19 pandemic and a city-wide reduction in crime, non-violent offences, and dispatched calls. Unfortunately, these reductions are overshadowed by concerning increases in violence, including a significant rise in citywide violent crime and the number of victims, a sharp increase in the number of violent incidents occurring in downtown Edmonton neighbourhoods and on transit, and an increase in the use or presence of weapons.
As a complement to the year-end crime analysis and in light of the call to action for changes to the bail system, the EPS is presenting data on offenders’ post-release involvement with Edmonton police. The information quantifies individuals arrested for a violent offence and then subsequently released and all additional occurrences for which those individuals were responsible following their initial arrest and release. Additionally, it demonstrates where the EPS has seen an increase in violent crime, the types of crime committed, and the number of preventable incidents that have harmed citizens and officers as a result of violent offenders being arrested and quickly released.
STATEMENT FROM CHIEF MCFEE
The EPS’ seeks to continually adapt and evolve in meeting the needs of Edmontonians while being responsive to an increasingly complex environment that includes elements of addiction, mental health, housing and more.
At the end of 2021, we knew we’d be heading into a challenging year as crime rates began trending back to pre-pandemic levels. Unfortunately, violent crime trended up across the city in 2022, with our downtown core and surrounding communities disproportionately hard hit. It’s not news we like to share, but it’s the reality facing our city and police service.
It’s our job as police to have a plan that sends a clear message to those perpetrating serious crimes and victimizing some of our city’s most vulnerable: this behaviour won’t be tolerated. This plan is well underway, as we work tirelessly to formalize many new initiatives, reallocate resources to where they are most needed and develop new inter-agency partnerships to address crime, disorder and social issues with the most suitable resources.
-Chief Dale McFee
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2022 YEAR END CRIME ANALYSIS
Crime – 2021 to 2022:
Edmonton’s total crime rate increased by 11.3% (+928 incidents):
Table 1 – Edmonton’s total crime rate per 100,000 people
Crime Severity:
The city’s crime severity has risen 9%. This increase can be attributed to the increased number of break and enters, robberies and thefts under $5,000 from motor vehicles.
Table 2 – Edmonton’s crime severity
Criminal Incidents:
The total number of citywide criminal incidents increased by 11.3% (+9819 incidents).
Table 3 – Edmonton’s criminal incidents
Of these incidents, those involving a knife increased by 9.8% (+83 incidents) and those involving the use of caustic spray increased by 11.5% (+89 incidents).
Incidents involving the use or presence of a firearm also increased by 25% (+82 incidents).
Violence – 2021 to 2022:
The city’s violent crime rate increased by 16.5% (+201 incidents).
Table 4 – Edmonton’s total violent crime rate per 100,000 people
Violent Crime Severity:
Edmonton’s violent crime severity increased by 5.4%. This rise can be attributed to an increased number of robberies, assaults and assaults with a weapon causing bodily harm.
Table 5 – Edmonton’s violent crime severity
Violent Criminal Incidents:
The total number of violent criminal incidents in Edmonton increased by 16.5% (+2131 incidents).
The total number of violent criminal incidents with the largest increase citywide include:
- Assault - up 32% (+1,141 incidents)
- Assault Bodily Harm/Weapon - up 14% (+413 incidents)
- Intimidation of a non-justice participant - up 1,469% (+235 incidents)
- Harassing Communications - up 45% (+213 incidents)
- Robbery - up 22% (+214 incidents)
Table 6 – Edmonton’s violent criminal incidents
Victims of Violent Crime:
The number of victims of violent crime increased by 15.4% (+1759).
Table 7 – Edmonton’s victims of violent crime
Downtown – 2021 to 2022:
Dispatched calls for service in downtown neighbourhoods (Downtown, Central McDougall, McCauley, Boyle Street, Oliver, and Queen Mary Park) increased 2.6% (+830 events)
Table 8 – Edmonton dispatched calls for service within downtown
Downtown – Criminal Incidents:
The total number of criminal incidents within downtown increased by 7.7% (+1,153)
Table 9 – Edmonton criminal incidents within downtown
Downtown – Violent Criminal Incidents:
The total number of violent criminal incidents within downtown increased by 8.4% (+247 incidents).
The total number of violent criminal incidents with the largest increases within downtown include:
- Assault Bodily Harm/Weapon - up 7% (+54 incidents)
- Assault - up 6% (+64 incidents)
- Harassing Communications - up 114% (+49 incidents)
- Assault Peace Officer - up 81.48% (+44 incidents)
- Intimidation of non-justice participant - up 3000% (+30 incidents)
Table 10 – Edmonton violent criminal incidents within downtown
HIGHLIGHTS OF DATA ON OFFENDERS’ POST-RELEASE INVOLVEMENT WITH POLICE
Between 2017 and 2019, 1,784 individuals were involved in 12,743 police occurrences after being arrested and released for an initial violent offence.
Between 2020 and 2023, 3,647 individuals were involved in 19,186 police occurrences after being arrested and released for an initial violent offence.
Between 2017 and 2019, the following involvements occurred where an individual who was arrested for a violent offence and then subsequently released was either a suspect, chargeable, or charged:
- 3 homicides
- 1,341 assaults
- 84 obstruct officers or obstruct justice incidents
Between 2020 and 2023, the following involvements occurred where an individual who was arrested for a violent offence and then subsequently released was either a suspect, chargeable, or charged:
- 26 homicides
- 2,183 assaults
- 95 obstruct officers or obstruct justice incidents