“A safer Edmonton is not created through a short‑term initiative, it’s created through an ongoing policing standard in our service that guides how our officers are deployed, how enforcement is targeted, and how the service works with partners to improve safety across the city,” says Chief Warren Driechel. “These are the policing practices that will continue to guide the service’s day-to-day work.”
“We are listening to Edmontonians’ concerns about disorder and crime and we’re addressing this through visible policing where it is needed most, especially as our city continues to grow and face unparalleled challenges with opioid use and its criminal supply.”
To help create a safer Edmonton, police are strategically deploying resources to Crime Treatment Zones. These are data-driven geographic areas within each police division and are used to determine where and when resources are needed. Based on community boundaries, crime data and mapping, the zones help identify emerging trends and guide targeted enforcement efforts.
Through these tools and the subsequent increase of police presence, the EPS has achieved measurable results in several communities including a reduced number of public calls for service related to crime and disorder in these targeted areas.
In central Edmonton, the newly deployed McCauley Beats and Chinatown Beats teams focused on the area around 96 Street and 106 Avenue. Over a two‑week period ending on March 20, 2026, officers conducted more than 175 public interactions that resulted in 17 arrests and 61 bylaw offence tickets issued.
Additionally, police have reported that crime and disorder in central Edmonton were lower in both reporting periods compared to last year. From March 12 to April 8, 2026, violent crime decreased by1.2 per cent. Non‑violent crime also declined, down 3.5 per cent overall from last year. Disorder saw the most significant reduction, decreasing by 13 per cent from last year.
Moreover, breach and warrant execution occurrences increased by 29.5 per cent, reflecting proactive police activity where members encountered individuals with outstanding warrants or breaches of release conditions.
In northwest Edmonton, police targeted a chronic problem address in the Castledowns neighbourhood that had been generating almost 160 calls for police service, including assaults, weapons‑related complaints, mischief and disturbances. Through intelligence‑driven tools and proactive patrols, police were able to assist with getting the residence secured and boarded up, disrupting ongoing disorder and improving safety and comfort for nearby residents.
Targeted enforcement has also continued in Edmonton’s south end. Working with Southgate Centre security and neighbouring businesses, police teams have made more than 50 arrests in the area since early February 2026. In early March, officers also carried out more than 50 proactive enforcement activities at Southgate LRT. Overall, disorder at Southgate LRT is down 20 per cent compared to April 28, 2025, violent crime is down 27 per cent year to date, and arrests are up 25 per cent over the same period.
“Our service is aware that perceptions of disorder shape how safe people feel in their own neighbourhoods,” says Acting Superintendent Jared Hrycun with the EPS’ Southeast and Southwest Division. “Each community has its own challenges, meaning our approach to creating a safer Edmonton is uniquely tailored across the city through data-driven reporting. Whether it’s addressing a well-known problem property, tackling illegal drug use or increasing our presence at transit hubs, everyone has a right to a safer Edmonton and can expect a continued coordinated, city‑wide effort focused on addressing disorder, reducing harm, and keeping our communities safe.”
As the weather warms up and we see more people in the heart of the city, over the next few weeks the EPS is focusing on the Crime Treatment Zone in and around Churchill Square. That means, especially during peak times, you can expect our officers to be highly visible as they address crime and disorder.