The Town of Olds says the severity of crime in the community dropped by 20 per cent in 2024, citing new figures from the RCMP based on Statistics Canada’s Crime Severity Index.
In an August 6 Facebook post, the town said the decline “reflects fewer serious offences in our community and stronger crime prevention efforts.” Officials attributed the shift to the addition of a dedicated crime reduction officer at the Olds RCMP detachment, enhanced collaboration between the Town, Municipal Enforcement, RCMP and local landlords, and focused action to reduce theft, vandalism and lower-level drug activity.
The RCMP says it uses Crime Severity Index (CSI) data — which tracks both the volume and seriousness of police-reported crime — to develop intelligence-led strategies across Alberta’s 113 detachments.
The Alberta RCMP says the CSI for its jurisdictions declined by 6.9 per cent in 2024 compared to the previous year — the second lowest level since 2015, based on Statistics Canada data.
Of the 147 RCMP jurisdictions in Alberta, 95 reported year-over-year CSI decreases. That includes Red Deer, which posted a 19.7 per cent drop, Wetaskiwin (–19.2%) and Strathmore (–24.6%).
“These statistics demonstrate a significant decrease in crime in these communities, brought on by the hard work of RCMP employees, and from the efforts of community members themselves,” the RCMP stated in a news release.
Break and enters remained the top contributor to Alberta’s CSI in 2024, accounting for 17.67 per cent of the provincial total. Assaults made up 11.7 per cent, and sexual assaults 6.6 per cent. All three categories declined year-over-year, with 875 fewer break-ins, 653 fewer assaults, and 273 fewer sexual assaults reported to Alberta RCMP.
“Violent crimes like assault and sexual assault can lead to significant trauma, not just to the individuals affected, but to their friends, their family, and the community they call home,” the RCMP stated. “The pain of these crimes is frequently long lasting, impacting those affected for years to come.”
Deputy Commissioner Trevor Daroux said the trend reflects shared efforts by officers, communities, and partner agencies.
“This trend reflects the shared efforts of Alberta RCMP officers, the communities we serve, and our dedicated partner agencies,” Daroux said. “Reducing crime isn’t the work of one group, it demands collaboration among public services, community partners, and all levels of government, but these results show that when we work together, we get results.”
The RCMP says it continues to invest in tools such as Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems, its Real Time Operation Centre, and Community Response Teams across rural Alberta. Specialized crime reduction teams also work with partner agencies to target repeat offenders and address the root causes of crime.
The Town of Olds said in its Facebook post that the figures are “an encouraging sign that Olds continues to be a safe, welcoming, and family friendly place to live.” RCMP officials caution, however, that the Crime Severity Index is only one measure of public safety.
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