Crime. It’s the topic that gets everyone talking, whether it’s the latest TV drama or the real-world statistics that make you double-check if you locked the door.
For those of us calling Calgary home, 2024 has been a mixed bag so far. With some reassuring trends and a few eyebrow-raising incidents, let’s see what’s really going on with Calgary’s crime rate.
The Rollercoaster of Transit Crime
According to Calgary CTV News, last year, Calgary transit felt like a scene from an action movie. Violent attacks spiked, making anyone’s daily commute feel like they were taking a gamble.
Calgary Police Service data shows that violent crime on transit shot up by 15% compared to the previous year. It wasn’t pretty. The beginning of 2023 was especially brutal, with incidents ranging from shootings on city buses to stabbings on CTrain platforms.
Fast forward to the beginning of 2024, and there’s a noticeable shift. Violent crime on transit has plummeted by 38% compared to the same period last year. Scott Boyd, superintendent patrol of the south division with the Calgary Police Service, gave a much-needed sigh of relief, saying, “We’re trending in the right direction.”
Between January and March of 2024, there were 55 assaults on Calgary transit. Compare that to the 71 assaults during the same months in 2023, and you can almost hear the collective exhale of transit users, as Calgary CTV News reported.
A Decrease in More Than Just Violence
Violent crimes aren’t the only thing seeing a downward trend. Calgary police report that calls for service, property crime, theft, and drug-related offenses on transit are all down significantly from last year.
Deputy Chief of Safety Marcia Gonder attributes some of this success to a strategic dispersion of officers across the city. With more officers patrolling and three new district hubs, the numbers speak for themselves. From January, Calgary Transit added 65 more officers and increased their presence at key locations.
They’ve also partnered with new groups like SMART (Social Mental Health and Addiction Referral Team) to provide rapid support for those in crisis.
The Bigger Picture
So, what about the broader crime landscape in Calgary? Here’s what the statistics from AreaVibes tell us:
Total Crime Rates
Violent Crime Rates
[su_notet background=”#d3d3d3″ color=”#000000″]
- Calgary: 811 incidents per 100,000 people
- Alberta: 1,232 incidents per 100,000 people
- National: 1,042 incidents per 100,000 people[/su_note]
Property Crime Rates
All Crime Incidents
Calgary recorded 78,163 total incidents in 2024, which translates to 5,739 incidents per 100,000 people. Interestingly, Calgary’s crime rate per 100,000 people decreased by 18.1%, outpacing the reductions seen in Alberta (13.0%) and the national average (9.8%), as per the latest statistics.
Who’s Getting Charged?
AreaVibes also provided the statistics on who’s getting charged that are pretty revealing too. Per 100,000 people:
Clearing Up the Cases
When it comes to solving crimes, Calgary’s weighted clearance rate is at 28%, a bit below Alberta’s 34% and the national 37%. For violent crimes, the clearance rate stands at 45%, which is again lower compared to Alberta’s 54% and the national rate of 58%.
Property crime clearance in Calgary is 22%, right in line with Alberta and the national average of 27%.
To see how other cities stack up, look at the 2024 crime rate comparison with Vancouver.
What’s the Verdict?
So, is Calgary’s crime rate in 2024 a cause for concern? It’s a bit of a mixed bag. The numbers for transit crime are trending down, thanks in part to bolstered security measures and strategic police presence.
However, when we zoom out and look at the overall crime rates, Calgary still faces challenges, especially when compared to the provincial and national figures. There’s no denying that violent crime, while on the decline, leaves a lasting impact on the community.
But with continued efforts and proactive measures from law enforcement, there’s hope that Calgary’s streets—and transit systems—will become safer for everyone. In the end, it’s about maintaining the momentum of these positive trends and addressing the areas where Calgary still lags behind.
So, while there’s cautious optimism in the air, the work is far from over. Stay vigilant, stay informed, and let’s hope the rest of 2024 keeps moving in the right direction.
