Local RCMP are starting to see results of the Crime Reduction Strategy

The provincial government and RCMP say their new Crime Reduction Strategy is working.
 
The plan to fight crime was announced early this year and is backed by over $13-million in government money.
 
The two announced at a joint news conference in Airdrie that since this plan has been in place, vehicle thefts dropped by 648, break and enters by 366, and thefts by 2358.
 
Grande Prairie RCMP Corporal Shawn Graham says police are seeing similar results here.
 
“Overall, our total property crime from January to June of this year compared to last year is down approximately seven per cent. In specific areas, we’ve have seen a slight increase such as our break and enters and our theft of motor vehicles. But, in other areas, we’ve seen a decrease such as in our theft under $5000 category, there’s been a decrease in that area.”
 
Graham says the community can play a big part in bringing down crime.
 
“It’s the actions of our concerned citizens that make a real impact in preventing the crime because they’re the ones that are the eyes and ears that are out there and they’re reporting things to us that is assisting us in being able to solve crimes to be able to go out and recover stolen property.”
 
The province and RCMP also say property crimes excluding arson, mischief, and fraud are down across Alberta. It does not give stats. for those crimes or explain why they were kept in a separate category.
 
Many people complain on social media that crime is not down, but that people have given up reporting crimes to the police.