Pubdate: Wed, 26 Jul 2017
Source: Metro (Calgary, CN AB)
Copyright: 2017 Metro Canada
Contact:  http://www.metronews.ca/Calgary
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4471
Author: Elizabeth Cameron
Page: 4

POLICE CHIEF ENCOURAGED BY CRIME DIP

Calgary's police chief said his officers haven't changed their
approach when it comes to marijuana, despite a slight dip in
pot-related crimes being reported in 2016.

Numbers released yesterday by Statistics Canada show Calgary's
police-reported crime declined significantly last year, unlike other
major Canadian cities which mostly saw an increase.

Alberta also saw a drop in the homicide rate, with 17 fewer homicides
in 2016 than 2015. Calgary's crime rate was down 1 per cent from 2015
numbers, which Chief Roger Chaffin called 'encouraging.'

"We saw the 2015 numbers that were very difficult - Calgary, in one of
its rare times in history, was leading the nation in many crime trends
- - to see them turning back without adding resources or extra
investments to the organization, shows what innovation does and how
hard our men and women are working to bring those crimes down,"
Chaffin said, speaking to reporters on Tuesday.

He said despite a minor drop in reported crimes related to marijuana,
it is still an illegal drug.

"I think there has likely been some heavy focus on opioids, on
methamphetamine, cocaine is still a relevant drug in the city. I think
some of those limitations mean our efforts are likely focused
elsewhere which may cause the downturn," Chaffin said. "But at this
stage, no change in practice."
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MAP posted-by: Matt