Crime Rates
“Decrease overall crime rates by 5% annually over the previous five-year average” measures success in increasing public safety in our homes, on our streets, and in our overall community.
How are we doing?
Saskatoon’s crime rates have been trending downward since 2009. In 2015, there were 9,141 total Saskatoon criminal code violations (excluding traffic violations) per 100,000 population. Saskatoon's total criminal code violations (excluding traffic violations) per 100,000 population has decreased 5.6% in 2015 compared to the last five-year average (2010-2014).
Data Table
| 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other Crime | 9548 | 8525 | 8604 | 7854 | 7366 | 7787 | 7810 | |||
| Violent Crime | 1978 | 1977 | 1818 | 1616 | 1459 | 1422 | 1331 | |||
| Targeted Annual Decrease | 7393 | 6975 | 6581 |
How are other cities doing?
Even though Saskatoon’s crime rates have decreased, our crime rates are higher than in other western cities.
Source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics
What do we need to do to achieve this target?
- The Saskatoon Police Service (SPS) is decreasing crime as one of four priority areas in their 2015–2019 Business Plan to create a safe and secure community. Reducing robberies, thefts, and mischief will be emphasized to reduce overall crime.
What are the benefits of achieving the target?
Less crime means fewer victims and an increase in the sense of public safety. Less crime reduces costs associated with the following:
- Stolen and damaged property
- Medical system usage due to drug use and violent crime
- Criminal justice costs for courts, prosecution, prisons, etc.
- Productivity losses including lost wages
- Intangible costs including pain and suffering