Ongoing targeted enforcement project disrupting crime and disorder downtown

Lethbridge Police continue to disrupt crime and disorder downtown with hundreds of arrest warrants executed and charges laid, along with more than 1,300 doses of deadly drugs removed from the street so far this year during a targeted enforcement project.

The ongoing project was initiated earlier this spring with members of the Downtown Policing Unit, Crime Suppression Team, Property Crimes Unit, High Risk Offenders Unit and Community Peace Officers working collaboratively to actively target high frequency offenders, areas with high volumes of crime and other negative behaviours specifically impacting the city centre.

Deputy Chief Gerald Grobmeier advised the Downtown Lawlessness Reduction Task Force during their regular meeting last week, the LPS teams have been deployed a total of nine times this year, with more project days still to come. 

Between March and October 17, a total of 302 outstanding warrants have been executed, 217 people have been arrested for open drug use, 167 Criminal Code charges have been laid, 1,345 collective doses of methamphetamine and fentanyl have been removed from the street, four stolen vehicles have been recovered, 13 encampments removed along with 50 people trespassing and police have had over 400 positive interactions with citizens and business owners. 

“The significant deployment of resources on project days has a noticeable impact on crime, negative activity and problem behaviours downtown,” said Grobmeier. “This ongoing initiative, in combination with others we are working on for 2025, including an increase in the number of officers that will be assigned downtown, are anticipated to continue yielding positive results.”

Police remind the public to continue reporting all suspicious and criminal activity downtown – or anywhere in the city – by calling 403-328-4444. LPS uses CompStat, a data-driven model where analytics are used to identify high-crime areas, prolific offenders and the most effective deployment of police resources. Knowing what is occurring, where it is happening and how often, helps give police an accurate picture of crime and disorder in the community, and enables more effective deployment of resources and enforcement strategies.

Some crimes can also be reported online, including theft under $10,000, mischief, theft from vehicles and damage to vehicles. There is also a category for ‘information only’ reports where citizens can report nuisance and non-criminal matters. Visit www.lethbridgepolice.ca and click online reporting. A crime map is also available to the public on the police website that shows where and what crimes are occurring in the city.