BANFF – Assaults and sexual violence crimes were down in Banff in 2023.
However, the statistics provided by Banff RCMP show sexual assaults from January to October 2023 were slightly above the traditional rate over the previous five years, but decreased by 35 per cent to 15 reported sexual assaults in 2023 compared to the record high 23 the year before.
In 2019, there were 10 reported sexual assaults and 13 in each of 2020 and 2021.
Overall, RCMP officials say crimes against people were down three per cent last year to 182 from 187 in 2022, and decreased 13 per cent since 2019 from 209 to 182, with the statistics showing the COVID-19 years of 2020-21 had significantly lower rates of offences than pre- or post-pandemic.
They say assaults were down six per cent in 2023 compared to the year before from 122 to 115 and down 20 per cent since 2019 when there were 144 assaults. Harassment and threats remained close to pre-pandemic levels.
“There are some signs of positivity in Banff in that we do have crimes against persons going down slightly; it’s very slight,” said Staff Sgt. Mike Buxton-Carr, detachment commander for Banff RCMP.
“What gives me some pause for positivity is the fact that it is in contrast with southern Alberta communities, which is tending to rise about six or seven per cent, whereas it’s slightly down in Banff.”
In terms of work to educate and raise awareness of sexual violence, Sgt. Natalie Rice, supervisor and investigator at Banff RCMP, said a committee has been formed and RCMP continues to work with YWCA Banff, including with the Harmony Project, and other organizations.
“We have members designated to that committee,” she said, noting the committee met recently to discuss the ongoing issue. “It’s with a bunch of agencies so there’s going to be some good work in that area.”
Buxton-Carr said the RCMP continues to be involved with the Y on the subject of sexual violence in the community.
“They have proven to be a fantastic partner, always extremely engaged in what we can do to make sure Banff is safer and reduce the violence,” he said.
Statistics show property crimes were also significantly down by 21 per cent from 2022 to 2023 from 405 to 319 cases, and by 34 per cent compared to 2019 when there were 341 property crimes reported.
Within this general category, the statistics highlighted break and enter crimes were 17 per cent below the 2022 rate, from 23 to 19 cases, and 30 per cent below the 27 cases in 2019.
Thefts of vehicles declined by 86 per cent, and were deemed essentially a non-issue in 2023 with just two. Offences of theft under $5,000 declined by 25 per cent from 2019 from 146 to 109.
The only crime category that increased last year was fraud, up 10 per cent to 54 due to the higher reporting of phone and email scams.
Mischief, including vandalism, and thefts from vehicles are far below previous rates.
Buxton-Carr said this is good news for Banff.
“This seems fairly positive,” said Buxton-Carr. “Throughout southern Alberta property crime is slightly stable.”
Motor vehicle collisions are also down over the five-year period by 17 per cent from 203 to 168 despite an increase in visitation to the tourist town, which typically sees about four million visitors a year.
Buxton-Carr pointed to some measures such as lower speed limits in town or getting people out of vehicles sooner at the intercept lot at the train station, but he can’t say for sure why collisions have decreased.
“I can’t put my finger on it as to why they’re down, but they’re down and that’s positive,” he said.
“Those include minor fender bender types, but I think more importantly, serious property damage and injury collisions are down and I think that is significant.”
Sgt. Rice said the drop in crime rates, in part, speaks to the ability to do more proactive work with the addition of two new municipally funded RCMP positions – one in 2022 and one in 2023.
“Intelligence gathering and sharing is huge with all that proactive work,” she said.
“The members are out speaking with the community, getting the information, and just being able to put the time into that.”
Mayor Corrie DiManno welcomed news that additional officers are helping combat crime.
“I’m hearing having more resources has been helpful in maybe stopping a situation before it escalates,” she said.
• The YWCA Banff Harmony Project offers support services to anyone who has been impacted by sexualized violence. Services are free, confidential and available seven days a week to anyone in the Bow Valley area. Contact the Y at [email protected] or 403-762-3560.
