Crime is down in Estevan, but police are monitoring increases in theft and the presence of organized crime.
Estevan Police Service Chief Jamie Blunden shared crime statistics and policing strategies at the latest Chamber Coffee Talk, highlighting year-over-year crime reductions.
Crimes against persons have dropped 41 per cent, while property crimes are down 31 per cent. However, theft under $5,000 has risen 48 per cent over the five-year average, mainly due to retail theft and thefts from vehicles. Police are analyzing trends and considering strategies to address these issues.
Blunden confirmed organized crime groups from B.C. are active in Estevan’s drug trade and moving significant amounts of money out of the community. Police are working with B.C. authorities to investigate and seize assets linked to these activities. In the third quarter of 2024, Estevan police seized $187,000 worth of drugs and froze bank accounts containing over $1 million. The department continues to focus on intelligence-led policing, increasing compliance checks and strengthening community engagement.
Blunden noted legislative changes have impacted drug enforcement, with the Crown no longer prosecuting simple possession charges. There have been no reported possession cases in 2025, compared to a five-year average of four. Saskatchewan police chiefs are advocating for changes to address the broader implications of de facto decriminalization.
"We need to concentrate on some of those minor offences, the thefts, the mischiefs, and that broken window theory where you have, you know, a broken window or things that are dilapidated. It invites crime to happen," he said.
Estevan’s 2023 Crime Severity Index (CSI) ranked the city 8th out of 14 in Saskatchewan, with a CSI score of 115, well below the provincial average. The city ranked 9th for non-violent crime but saw a rise in violent crime due to a high-profile police station shooting incident that skewed the statistics. The 2024 numbers are expected to show a decline.
Despite the increased violent crime ranking, Blunden emphasized Estevan remains a safe community. He stressed the importance of addressing minor crimes such as theft, mischief and break-ins, which are often linked to abandoned properties. Cleaning up these areas and enforcing security measures are key to reducing incidents.
Estevan follows a strategic policing plan in collaboration with the Estevan Police Board, focusing on three main areas of community safety. One key priority is traffic enforcement, with officers targeting impaired driving, speeding and distracted driving. Estevan has two provincially funded Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan officers patrolling both city streets and highways, along with periodic high-visibility enforcement initiatives like the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program.
Blunden said while crime data can sometimes misrepresent reality, police are working to maintain safety and improve policing strategies. Efforts to combat drug-related crime continue through surveillance, intelligence gathering and search warrants. Due to retirements, the drug unit is currently understaffed, with resources temporarily shifted to frontline policing, but plans are in place to restore staffing by year-end.
He also emphasized that policing is only part of improving community safety and encouraged residents to stay engaged and support crime prevention efforts.