CTV News Edmonton has reported:

Edmonton police say targeted patrols in the central core reduced average crime severity by 13.6 per cent and public calls for service by 7.6 per cent compared with the same period last year. Officer-generated calls rose 42.5 per cent, which the Edmonton Police Service (EPS) attributed to “proactive police engagement.” The force said the results have led it to expand targeted enforcement to other parts of the city, including Stony Plain Road in west Edmonton.

EPS announced its Safer Edmonton Initiative in May to address disorder and crime by concentrating resources where calls for service are highest. “We see how issues such as open-air drug use, violence and petty property crime have contributed to ongoing social disorder and community safety concerns,” said Devin Laforce, EPS police operations chief. “We are pleased to report that results from our summer initiative in the central core indicates that our visible, targeted policing approach is making a difference.”

Insp. Trevor Bohachyk of EPS West Division said Stony Plain Road has been a continuing concern because of crime, disorder and drug use, particularly around Butler Park, a major transit hub for the area. On Sept. 30, EPS said enforcement in the area helped officers respond quickly after a man was assaulted in Butler Memorial Park and left with life-threatening injuries.

“Thanks to ongoing enforcement in the area, the unknown group of assailants were quickly identified,” EPS said. “One male has since been charged and remanded.” The force said its west branch has recorded a 17 per cent reduction in violent crime since the start of the year. EPS said it hopes ongoing proactive enforcement will lead to further reductions.