Property crime is decreasing in Alberta thanks in part to the RCMP’s Crime Reduction Strategy, which was outlined during a news conference in Airdrie with Justice Minister Kathleen Ganley, Rural Crime Watch’s Dean Hart, and the RCMP.

The RCMP’s Crime Reduction Strategy is a long-term strategy launched this year with an aim to reduce criminal activity.

“We’ve looked at the data and I can tell you that our crime reduction strategy is working. Mid way through our first year of implementing this strategy our data indicates our policing approach is making a difference,” said Alberta RCMP Superintendent Peter Tewfik.

“From January to July this year property crimes in all RCMP detachments in Alberta are down nine per cent compared to the same period last year. If we look at just rural detachments in Alberta, our property crime is down 11 per cent,” he said.

The RCMP plan to put in place a number of new initiatives over a period of six months to compliment the Crime Reduction Strategy.

Stats released in favour of the Crime Reduction Strategy include 648 fewer motor vehicle thefts this year compared to 2017, 366 fewer break ins and 3,358 fewer thefts in the province compared to the previous year.

“Community is our strength. Rural Crime Watch members act as an extra eyes and ears not only for the RCMP by providing them with information they need for their investigations, but for our friends and neighbours. As members, we take an active role in educating our community and watching each other’s backs,” said Dean Hart, board member, Rural Crime Watch Southern Alberta (Zone 1).

“The rural crime reduction strategy is working. In the six months since we announced $10 million in funding for a seven-point action plan, RCMP have recorded a noticeable decrease in property crimes. I want to thank our valued partners in the RCMP for their hard, and important work. We’ll continue to support the RCMP and our police partners to help ensure Albertans live in safe and secure communities, no matter where they call home,” said Kathleen Ganley, Minister of justice and Solicitor General.

The strategy was formed in collaboration with the Provincial Government with investments of $8 million and $5.3 million announced in March.

The strategy is a seven-point plan that works to enhance intelligence, and information sharing. The program helps to reduce administrative duties for officers allowing them to dedicate resources to apprehend repeat offenders and spend more time conducting investigations and engaging in the communities they serve, according to a news release.

The report indicates that from January to July 2018, property crime, excluding fraud, mischief and arson fell nine per cent compared to the previous year.

The same crimes in rural detachments decreased by 11 per cent.

For the month of July in rural detachments property crimes excluding fraud, mischief and arson have decreased by 25 per cent over the previous year.