Edmonton police report overall crime rate down, violent crime rate up [Video]

Overall, Edmonton’s crime rate was down year over year in 2023 while the severity of crimes — both violent and in general — increased, according to statistics released today by police.

The Edmonton Police Service’s year-end crime analysis found crime overall fell 7.2 per cent last year compared to 2022, while violent crime severity was up 7.3 per cent and total crime severity rose 4.6 per cent.

EPS Chief Dale McFee said at a media conference held Thursday to present and discuss the statistics that “there’s still much work to be accomplished, especially when it comes to the amount of violence prevalent on our streets.”

“Our members are spending excessive amounts of time managing chaos in our community driven by social disorder, open-air drug use and encampments, but as always, our approach will remain and still is one of empathy and accountability,” McFee told reporters.

McFee said in a statement …