Residents of a neighbourhood located just east of the downtown core, and next to the river valley are considering taking area security in the area into their own hands, as many residents are concerned with the amount of crime in the area.
Cromdale is located east of the downtown core, and many residents have noticed criminal or suspicious activity.
Stacey Bell-Powell regularly walks in the area – and says she’s seen her share of suspicious exchanges, along with others possibly scoping out the area.
“There will be guys walking down to shovel the neighbourhood, but there’s no snow, they’re just scoping to see if someone is home,” Bell-Powell said.
The neighbourhood boasts easy access to the river valley and a ravine – but resident Ryan Stubel has noticed the natural areas also have homeless camps, littered with garbage, used needles and condoms, among other things, and he avoids bringing his kids to the river valley.
“It’s a great neighbourhood, I call it the diamond in the rough,” Stubel said. “It’s a great neighbourhood, there are great schools around, but it’s that uneasy feeling.”
Now, Cromdale residents are considering hiring a private security company to patrol the streets – the neighbourhood is also facing a spike in property crime, including home and vehicle robberies.
“It feels necessary because I don’t feel the steps are being taken to eliminate this problem, it’s just going to get worse,” Stubel said.
Councillor Tony Caterina told CTV News the City is doing what it can, but he expects things to get worse, as the new arena prepares to open, and those living in the area are displaced.
Edmonton Police Chief Rod Knecht said he wants residents to continue calling in complaints.
“Call us when you see it happening, that’s your challenge,” Knecht said.
With files from Michel Boyer
