According to the fourth-quarter Drayton Valley RCMP report, overall persons and property crime in the area appears to be declining, while specific charges remain a challenge.
From January to March this year, 57 instances of persons crime were reported to the municipal detachment, down 19 per cent from 70 during the same period in 2025. This was also a 25 per cent decrease from 2022, which saw 76 instances.
While overall persons crime was trending down, assaults were 15 per cent higher this year than in 2025, with 30 reported. That’s comparable to 2022, when there were 32 reported assaults.
Overall property crime decreased this quarter, with 140 total counts, compared to 151 in 2025. Unfortunately, that was still a 17 per cent jump from 2022, when 120 instances were reported.
Notably, motor vehicle thefts dropped to 10 this quarter, down from 13 in 2025 and 17 in 2022.
Meantime, reports of possession of stolen goods increased from three in 2025 to 16 in 2026, which Staff Sgt. Ryan Hoetmer said was the result of proactive policing.
In other detachment news, the Alberta RCMP is set to begin receiving pistol upgrades this year. After five days of mandatory training are completed, RCMP officers will transition to using a Glock 45 pistol. Hoetmer said priority will be given to front-line officers, with a full rollout anticipated by the summer of 2028.
Since 1995, officers have been using a Smith and Wesson 9-mm pistol, which Hoetmer said has since been discontinued.
This RCMP report was presented to town council during its regularly scheduled meeting on June 3. You can watch the full presentation below.
Comments