Edmonton claims transit is getting safer

Is transit getting safer in Edmonton? The city claims it is.

In an update to city council, statistics show police recorded a 47 per cent decrease in violent crimes from August into September.

The stats also highlighted drug-related incidents were also down 19 per cent — from nearly 500 to nearly 400 — this quarter.

More people are taking transit, as ridership continues to increase since the pandemic. ETS says it noticed a 12 per cent year-over-year increase in ridership. Overall in September 2023, there were over five million transit rides.

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The city believes this shows its enhanced safety plan is working with more peace officers and social workers patrolling transit stations.

The province previously announced 50 new Edmonton police officers dedicated to transit. To date, 21 have been assigned, with another 29 expected by the end of 2024.