Article content

Most violent and non-violent crimes in Fort McMurray increased in 2023 from 2022, according to data released by Statistics Canada and confirmed by Wood Buffalo RCMP’s leadership. Fort McMurray also scored higher than the rest of Alberta on the overall crime severity index, as well as the indexes for violent, non-violent and property crimes.

Article content

More people in 2023 than in 2022 were charged with assaults, criminal harassment, uttering threats, breaking and entering, stealing vehicles, arson, and disturbing the peace. Overall sexual assaults dropped, but sexual abuse against children increased.

Property crimes, such as mischief and thefts over and under $5,000, rose sharply and Fort McMurray was Alberta’s worst city for shoplifting crimes. Traffic violations increased, but impaired driving dropped.

Chief Superintendent Mark Hancock of Wood Buffalo RCMP said he only has theories about what caused these increases. This includes the social and economic fallouts from the COVID-19 pandemic, layoffs in the oilsands and other job sectors, economic uncertainty in the region, and continued stress from the 2016 Horse River wildfire and the April 2020 flood.

Article content

Social profits in the region have also mentioned these factors as they deal with higher demands for their services. Hancock adds the RCMP’s data shows local police responded to more calls involving mental health in 2023.

“All these things are associated with the crime patterns we have going on,” said Hancock.

“When you deal with human beings, it’s trying to get the resources in place to help them the best way we can and to try to prevent things.”

Hancock says the detachment has stable staffing levels this year. Fort McMurray has also become a preferred destination for experienced officers, he said. Special attention is being given to repeat offenders. There are more patrols and public engagement meetings. A program pairing officers with mental health nurses has been a success, he said.

Article content

New crime prevention programs include a bike index, voluntary security camera registry and a method of tagging property in case they’re stolen.

“I talk to the mayor just about every day. The CAO and councillors are always messaging me. That’s OK, I want that,” said Hancock.

“I want to keep an eye on the pulse of the community, see what we can do to make people want to be here and make them feel safe.”

Dianna De Sousa, president of the Fort McMurray Chamber of Commerce, said many of the organization’s members reported in 2023 constant break-ins, thefts and instances of vandalism. Statistics Canada has yet to release any data for 2024, but De Sousa says this year has been a better one.

De Sousa also says there were many social and economic factors that likely attributed to last year’s jump in crimes.

Article content

However she adds the presence of a homeless encampment on Manning Avenue lined up with a sudden rise in property crime violations in that part of downtown. The encampment was cleared in August without incident and housing has been found for most residents. De Sousa also says a heavy wildfire season in 2023 likely took community resources away from Fort McMurray.

“It’s been collaborative. They came to the table in the most positive way,” she said.

“Crime doesn’t go away, but I would say it’s been a fairly successful summer from a crime management perspective.”

In a statement, Mayor Sandy Bowman noted the Statistics Canada data shows crime rates have risen across Canada, Alberta and in many other communities. He noted council’s 2024 budget added more funding for community policing, public safety programs and support for social profits.

“Crime reduction takes many people and many organizations working together, and we will remain focused on it in dialogue with Chief Superintendent Hancock, the Wood Buffalo RCMP and all those that have a role to play in keeping the region as safe as possible,” he said.

Get the news and events of Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo in your inbox every Friday morning by signing up for our newsletter.

[email protected]

Article content