By Geoff Smith (@GeoffSmithLNN on Twitter)

Violent crime dips, as overall crime rate rises in Lethbridge

Nov 9, 2017 | 10:06 AM

LETHBRIDGE – The city’s crime rate was up last year, according to new numbers from Statistics Canada. But there is some good news.

While the city’s Crime Severity Index (CSI) rose more than seven per cent, the Violent Crime Severity Index was down by more than 16 per cent from 2015. The CSI gives weights to different types of police-reported crimes based on seriousness. Data was released in a report Thursday, Nov. 9.

The CSI for the Lethbridge Police Service coverage area was 121.56. When compared to the rates for Canada’s census metropolitan areas (CMAs), only Regina had a higher CSI. Within Alberta, Red Deer’s municipal RCMP reported a nearly 13 per cent increase to 206.87. Grande Prairie was also higher than Lethbridge, but with a significant drop. Lloydminster increased slightly, to 148.38, while Medicine Hat was up 35 per cent to 103.85.

The CSI for the Calgary CMA (including surrounding areas in addition to the Calgary municipal police) was down nearly six per cent to 74.60, one of the biggest drops in the country. Edmonton’s CMA reported a CSI of 105.72, an increase of three per cent.

The report breaks down crime rates by category. Without taking severity into account, the total number of violations per 100,000 people was up in Lethbridge by more than nine per cent. But violent crimes were down 14 per cent. Property crimes increased 16 per cent.

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Canada reported a second consecutive increase in its CSI. Statistics Canada said this was due to a 14 per cent increase in fraud. Previously, the CSI had dropped for 11 straight years.