Released on July 21, 2009
Saskatchewan's reported crime rate and overall crime severity has dropped for the fifth straight year.
According to the Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics Juristat released today, the crime rate in this province fell 4 percent in 2008 while the severity index dropped 5 percent. The Regina and Saskatoon Census Metropolitan Area crime severity index values were both down 13 percent, while the crime rate fell 7 percent in Regina and 10 percent in Saskatoon. Youth crime is also down in 2008, with the youth violent crime rate dropping 10 percent. Even so, Saskatchewan continues to have the highest provincial police-reported crime rate and crime severity index value in Canada.
"These downward trends are encouraging. They suggest that our government's initiatives are working and that we're headed in the right direction," Attorney General and Justice Minister Don Morgan said. "Nevertheless, there is a lot more to be done. We must continue to work hard to develop and implement programs that not only address crime as it is committed, but also root causes of crime such as addictions, unemployment and lack of education."
Current programs to address crime include increased number of police officers and prosecutors, family violence prevention, rehabilitation programs, literacy initiatives, victims' services and anti-gang strategies. These programs involve communities, local police services and community-based organizations.
"Rather than just focusing on the crimes and the offenders themselves, we must work together to address the issues surrounding why people commit crimes in our communities. These are important factors to consider not only between our different government ministries, but across society as a whole," Morgan said.
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For more information, contact:
Laur'Lei Silzer
Justice and Attorney General
Regina
Phone: 306 787 0775
Email: laurlei.silzer@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-535-0074