Crime rates across the Bonnyville and Cold Lake region continue trending downward in several major categories, according to updates shared during the M.D. of Bonnyville council meeting on May 12.

Councillor Caroline Palmer provided the report following a recent policing committee meeting involving RCMP, peace officers and regional enforcement representatives.

According to statistics presented to council, the Cold Lake RCMP detachment area has seen significant decreases in several categories compared to the same reporting period last year.

Palmer said crimes against persons are down 51 percent, while property crimes have dropped 53 percent.

“Mental health calls were also down by 41 percent,” Palmer told council.

Motor vehicle collisions were also reported down 11 percent.

The update also included statistics from local peace officers and regional enforcement teams. Palmer said municipal peace officers conducted 99 traffic stops during the reporting period and dedicated more than 100 hours to crime prevention initiatives and community safety efforts.

The Bonnyville RCMP detachment also reported continued enforcement activity throughout the region, with 559 files created during the reporting period.

Council members noted that the statistics reflect ongoing collaboration among the RCMP, municipal enforcement, and community partners throughout the Lakeland region.

“The overall tone that we’ve been receiving consistently is our crime is on the downward trend in most areas,” Palmer said.

She credited enforcement officers, prevention initiatives and community awareness efforts for helping contribute to the decline.

“Kudos to all the people that are out there that are working very hard to make our communities safe,” she added.

The discussion comes as municipalities across Alberta continue facing pressures related to rural crime, addictions, mental health calls and increasing demands on policing and emergency response services.

Council did not debate or propose any new policing measures during the discussion, but members acknowledged the positive trend reflected in the current statistics.