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?
Overall crime rates in Saskatoon have been trending downward since 2009, although in the last three years slight increases have occurred annually.
In 2016, there were 9,806 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 increased 4.4% in 2016 compared to the last five-year average (2011-2015).
Actual Crime Statistics in 2016 versus 2015 breakdown in the following way:
- Crimes against the Person: +1.0%
- Crimes against Property: +13.8%
- Drug Related Offences excluding Possession: +20.5%
- Drug Related Offences – Possession: +14.3%
- Possession of Methamphetamine: +61.5% (This highly addictive drug can be considered a causal factor in crime overall.)
Data Table
| 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other Crime | 9548 | 8525 | 8603 | 7872 | 7414 | 7598 | 7823 | 8505 | |
| Violent Crime | 1978 | 1977 | 1818 | 1616 | 1466 | 1422 | 1331 | 1301 | |
| Targeted Annual Decrease | 9655 | 9179 | 8923 | 8807 |
How are other cities doing?
Crime rates in all Western Canadian cities increased in 2016. Although, Saskatoon and Regina continue to have the highest crime rates per capita of all Western Canadian cities.
2016 Crime Rates Relative to the Previous 5-Year Average
| Calgary | Edmonton | Regina | Winnipeg |
| 12.8% | 16.0% | 9.5% | 5.8% |
What do we need to do to achieve this target?
- The Saskatoon Police Service (SPS) has listed decreasing crime as one of four priority areas in their 2015–2019 Business Plan to create a safe and secure community.
- The SPS continues to focus efforts on reducing street crime, with an emphasis on robberies, thefts, and mischief to achieve a 5% reduction in crime year over year.
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Funding has been confirmed for a Strengthening Families Project (SFP) – it is a family skills program designed to increase family strengths and resilience and reduce risk factors for problem behaviours in highrisk children, including behavioural, emotional, academic, and social problems. It builds on protective factors by improving family relationships, parenting skills and the youth’s social and life skills. There are versions designed for both the 12-17 age group and for children aged 6-11 years old, and their families. Preliminary planning has been completed with the first facilitated modules beginning in the fall of 2017. The desired outcomes are to:• Reduce youth’s behavioural problems (violence, delinquency, aggression, etc.);• Decrease the use and temptation to use drugs, alcohol, and tobacco;• Enhance children’s social and life skills;• Improve parenting skills; and• Increase family cohesion, communication, and organization.• This program is a Partnership between the City of Saskatoon, SPS, and the Ministry of Social Services. Funding of this program is provided by Public Safety Canada through the National Crime Prevention Center (NCPC).
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