We’ve been hearing a lot lately from people who suggest the rate of crime in and around the city has been getting worse. This is despite RCMP releasing statistics in both May and September that indicated the province’s Crime Reduction Strategy (CRS) is making a difference. The Southern Alberta Crime Reduction Unit (CRU) was opened at the Airdrie RCMP detachment in February, and RCMP reported in May detachments under the umbrella of the Southern Alberta CRU had seen a 10 per cent reduction in reported property crime in 2018 over 2017. The CRS update Sept. 4 indicated a province-wide property crime decrease of nine per cent, with an 11 per cent decrease in rural areas. Yet, we still receive comments that crime is increasing. That is why we encourage all residents with questions or concerns to attend the Community Policing Forum, Oct. 2 at Genesis Place Rotary Room. Our job, as citizens, is to seek information and clarity if we think things aren’t adding up. This forum will give residents the chance to gather that information so they can feel more confident about local policing. It is easy to just push local issues to the back of our minds and think of them as someone else’s problem, to complain and do nothing and to hope someone else comes up with a solution. But that isn’t realistic, and is unfair to those working to make things better. Elected officials aren’t mind readers, and if you legitimately have concerns you don’t feel are being addressed, it’s up to you to voice them.
