CRIME RATE DOWN IN SASKATCHEWAN

Released on July 24, 2003

The province is encouraged by a report released today by the Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics that shows a decrease in Saskatchewan's total crime rate in 2002.

The city of Regina experienced the largest drop in crime rates among 25 cities in Canada with a 12 per cent decrease in 2002. The rate in Saskatoon remained relatively stable.

The overall reduction in crime was due to a three per cent decrease in property crime, led by a 13 per cent decline in motor vehicle thefts in Saskatchewan.

While Saskatchewan's crime rate is still higher than other provinces, it fared better than other western provinces by establishing a declining rate, as opposed to Alberta and BC where the rates actually increased.

The study shows that of the 2.4 million crimes reported in Canada last year, Saskatchewan accounted for 135,262 or 5.6% of reported crimes in the country.

Less than one in seven (14%) of all crimes reported in Saskatchewan are violent in nature. Of the remaining 86%, about half (42%) were property related offences, and the rest (44%) were "Other Criminal Code" incidents, such as mischief, disturbing the peace, and bail offences.

"We are encouraged by the modest reductions in the crime rate we see for 2002, but we know there is more work to be done," Corrections and Public Safety Minister Andrew Thomson said. "The latest release by Statistics Canada shows we are on the right track. The data tells us that our programs are having an impact—that targeted approaches like the Regina Auto Theft Strategy work to reduce crime in our communities."

Thomson said the province continues to address offending by:

• increasing support for policing, including funding 142 new police positions since 1999;
• expanding the use of alternatives to produce a better outcome for victims and communities and to reduce the number of charges brought to the courts;
• working with key partners in the health, education and social service sectors to reduce the use of the justice system by youth;
• working to improve the relationship between the justice system and Aboriginal peoples; and
• promoting targeted, community-based approaches to crime reduction.

-30-

For More Information, Contact:

Candace Congram Justice/CPS Regina Phone: (306)787-0775