A project focused on targeting crime in the downtown area has led the execution of hundreds of arrest warrants and over 1,300 doses of drugs removed from the street.
Between March and October 17th, Lethbridge Police Officials have reported 217 people have been arrested for open drug use and 1,345 doses of meth and fentanyl collectively have been removed from the streets. Additionally, 302 outstanding warrants have been executed with 167 Criminal Code charges having been lain, four stolen vehicles have been recovered and 13 encampments have been removed.
According to Deputy Chief Gerald Grobmeier, these stats come from the nine times LPS teams have gone out as part of this project, with more project days still to come.
“The significant deployment of resources on project days has a noticeable impact on crime, negative activity and problem behaviours downtown,” Grobmeier says. “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.”
Additionally, police are reminding people to report all suspicious and criminal activity not only in the downtown area but across the city. Some crimes including theft under $10,000, mischief, theft from vehicles and damage to vehicles can be reported online; in addition to nuisance and non-criminal complaints as well.
