The Recent Crime Spike in YYC
By Diane Colley-Urquhart on September 8 2015
Recently, there has been a large spike in crime rates in our City. Rarely is a rise in crime rate attributable to any single event. Generally, as is the case now, it is a number of things that have led to this spike. The fentanyl problem in the City is having a significant impact in our communities, as is the increase in illicit drug use resulting in a number of hospitalizations, and in some cases, death.
These activities are directly related to an increase in crimes of opportunity – property crimes from break and enters, theft from vehicles and of vehicles. Criminals are looking for easy targets with proceeds being quickly turned around for cash and/or buying more drugs. Citizens need to know that 40% of these crimes are from unsecured residences and vehicles, and access to garage door openers and keys, which in turn gives easy access to homes.
From a drug perspective, enforcement is an important factor and will play a large role on the supply side. However, prevention through citizen awareness is by far the best approach. Children must also be continually educated and made aware. Along with schools continuing to be diligent when we see these kinds of crime spikes.
Statistics from the Calgary Police Service show that:
- In the first half of 2015, residential break and enters have increased by 36% from 2014.
- Commercial break and enters have climbed 70% higher from 2014.
- From January to June 2015, vehicle thefts have increased by 72% from 2014, with the majority of stolen vehicles being 2007 or older models (the year ignition immobilizers became mandatory in all new vehicles sold in Canada).
Awareness and diligence are the best deterrents of opportunistic crimes. Citizens must ensure they are doing all they can to secure their own property. If you witness or know of any criminal activity, please contact Calgary Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or text tttTIPS (274637) or visit www.calgarycrimestoppers.org. We all need to work together to keep our City streets safe. You can also access the CPS hub: www.calgary.ca/cps/Pages/The-Hub.aspx to report crimes or community concerns.
IMG SOURCE: https://shawglobalnews.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/calgary-police.jpg?
