Crime

Cold Lake Crime Update: Progress, Challenges & What We’ve Done

I want to take a moment to talk frankly about crime in Cold Lake: where we are, where we’ve come from, what we’re seeing in the numbers for Q4 2024, and what actions have been taken so far. While we still have a lot of work ahead, I’m encouraged by signs that the efforts we’ve made are beginning to show results.

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What the Data Tells Us: Q4 2024 RCMP Statistics

According to the Cold Lake Municipal RCMP Detachment’s latest summaries (up to the end of 2024):

Compared to 2023, break-ins (break and enter) dropped significantly: from 242 to 127 incidents. That’s about a 48% decrease year-over-year. 

Motor-vehicle thefts also saw a large drop: from 191 incidents in 2023 to 112 in 2024, a 41% reduction. 

Theft over and under $5,000 likewise decreased by around 29%. 

Possession of stolen goods dropped about 56%. 

In the Cold Lake Rural Detachment area, similar trends:

Break-ins down ≈ 15%, vehicle thefts down ≈ 29%, theft (over/under $5,000) down ~29%, and possession of stolen goods down about 36%. 

These are meaningful declines in key property crime indicators. It’s not to say crime is solved—far from it—but we are seeing measurable progress in areas where many were experiencing frustration.

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Context & Challenges

It’s important to recognize that 2023 had a spike in property crimes in Cold Lake: property offenses rose 24% in that year, with mischief a particularly large contributor. Also, calls for service increased (municipal calls up ~2.3% in 2023, provincial calls up ~0.6%) showing pressure on policing and municipal enforcement systems. 

Also, costs continue to rise for policing. For example, in 2025 City Council approved mandatory increases in the RCMP contract policing budget and began shouldering more of the cost as population thresholds shifted. 

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Policy, Bylaw & Resource Changes (2021-2025)

Here are some of the steps we’ve taken over the last few years to address and reduce crime, both by providing more capacity and by strengthening the rules/bylaws that help prevent crime and disorder.

1. Increased RCMP Staffing

In 2023, the City of Cold Lake Council voted to add another municipal RCMP position at our detachment to help relieve pressure. This was alongside provincially funded positions. 

We now have a total of 36 RCMP regular members (plus support staff), with split funding between municipality and province. 

2. Commercial Security Program

As part of the 2025 Operating Budget, we established ongoing funding for a Commercial Security Program, initially a pilot between the Cold Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce and the City. This helps in responding to increases in petty crime, vagrancy, and related community safety concerns. 

3. Bylaw Enhancements and Fines Adjusted

In 2022, a review led to steeper fines under many municipal bylaws, including parking, public nuisance, loitering, etc. The idea was to increase deterrents. 

4. Improving Oversight & Enforcement Capacity

Municipal Enforcement (bylaw officers, peace officers) has been enhanced to enforce bylaws more actively (e.g. removing public safety hazards, resolving illegal encampments). An example is the dismantling of a large illegal encampment in Cold Lake South in early 2025: multiple fines, cooperation between enforcement staff, RCMP, and city staff, and cleanup of over 2,000 kg of waste. 

Enhancements in RCMP operations: targeted projects to reduce vehicle theft and target repeat offenders (for example, a December 2023 project with multiple RCMP units resulted in arrests of repeat-risk offenders, removal of stolen vehicles, etc.). 

5. Budget Adjustments & Funding Shifts

As our population crossed 15,000, the funding formula changed: the City now pays 90% of RCMP contract policing costs, and fully for fleet, equipment, operational supplies. This makes it essential to use our resources well. 

As part of this Council, I have made policing / enforcement a priority in budgeting, recognizing that public safety is one of the foundations of community well-being. 

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What Still Needs to Be Done

Justice delays / court system: Even when arrests are made, processing and prosecution delays can blunt the effect of enforcement. I will continue to advocate to the Provincial Government to provide more resources to courts.

Resource gaps: Filling RCMP positions, ensuring Municipal Enforcement has needed tools, and maintaining adequate funding without overburdening taxpayers.

Prevention / social supports: Crime is not only a policing issue. Housing instability, mental health services, addiction supports all factor in. Our bylaw and enforcement responses help, but upstream prevention is critical. I will continue to hold our Provincial Government accountable to help people so that the burden does not fall solely on the shoulders of Cold Lake taxpayers.

Why I’m Optimistic

Because what I’m seeing is that the data confirms our efforts are not just show—but showing real, measurable improvement. When break-ins drop by nearly 50%, or thefts drop by 30-40%, that’s significant. It tells me:

Our strategy of combining enforcement, budget prioritization, and smarter bylaw design is working.

That the City investing more (in RCMP staffing, in enforcement, in clearer rules) pays off.

That community cooperation (business owners, residents) plays a role when bylaws are enforced, when people report suspicious activity, and when there is public awareness.

Conclusion

Yes, we have a lot of work ahead. We cannot afford complacency. But the evidence is encouraging: some crime types are going down, our enforcement capacity is improving, and our bylaws are getting stronger.

As your representative (or in my role), I remain committed to continuing to push for more resources, better coordination, and smarter policies. In this way,  Cold Lake can be safer for everyone.