In response to Fort McMurray Mayor Melissa Blake publicly voicing her disappointment with EPS Chief Rod Knecht for comments made linking an increase in service calls to the low price of oil – EPS has released additional figures.
According to Edmonton police, using publicly available oil price information and EPS monthly stats, crime levels have climbed over the past 12 months as oil prices dropped to record lows.
Police officials said of particular note was the difference between crime levels in February 2014, when oil was priced at $100 per barrel and February 2015, when oil sunk to $50 per barrel.
In a statement released Sunday afternoon, EPS also pointed out that while the city’s population growth and local unemployment rate are also contributing factors, the stats show “the connection between the price of oil and crime rates in the city is clear.”
Earlier this week, Mayor Blake issued a statement which said Chief Knecht was unjustly portraying Fort McMurray and the oil sands in a negative light.
Chief Knecht said officers have responded to 9,000 more calls for service this year, compared to the same time in 2014.
Violent crime was up 12 per cent, property crime 18 per cent and the number of 911 emergency calls was also up by almost 14 per cent.
“When oil is up, we are busy, and when oil is down, we are really busy,” he said on September 28, during an informal coffee chat with the media.
The Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers estimates that 35,000 jobs in the oil and gas industry have been shed so far this year.
In Chief Knecht’s absence, acting EPS Chief Brian Simpson will comment on the issue Monday morning.
With files from Brenna Rose and The Canadian Press
