New statistics on LRT safety released after months-long crime spree

Edmonton police receive nearly two calls per day related to incidents of violence or disorder on the LRT system, according to statistics contained in a city report.

Police received 2,227 calls classified as "crime or disorder" between January 2015 and June 2018, says the report, which is going to city council's community and public services committee on Wednesday.

That averages out to1.8 calls per day, or about three calls for every 100,000 trips on the LRT.

The incidents ranged from minor to serious and included assault, disputes, disturbances, harassment, mental health complaints, mischief, robbery, as well as trespassing and liquor offences.

Slightly more than half 52 per cent of all incidents happened between the hours of 6 p.m. and 2 a.m.

• 460 charges laid against dozens of teens in Edmonton LRT crime spree
• How Edmonton's city staff and police fight crime on the LRT

The report doesn't indicate whether the number of incidents has risen or fallen since 2015.

The new statistics provide a broader view of transit safety issues after police charged dozens of teens in relation to a months-long LRT crime spree earlier this year.

In March, more than 460 charges were laid against 34 teens for crimes committed between January 2017 and March 2018 on the LRT system. The list of charges included robbery, weapons offences and aggravated assault.

In one incident, a woman was kicked down the stairs at Belvedere Station. The assault was captured on video and later made public by police on YouTube.

Surveillance video shows LRT attacks

7 years ago

Duration 0:39

Surveillance video shows two attacks at LRT stations in Edmonton, part of a year-long crime by dozens of teens.

The report highlights ongoing efforts between transit and police officers to patrol the LRT system in recent years.

Police received 114 reports of violent crimes at transit centres and LRT platforms in 2016, dropping by more than half compared to the previous year, the report says. The city credits the change to a pilot program that partnered transit officers with police.

A team of nine full-time beat cops was assigned to the LRT in response to the pilot.

The city also arranged for 14 of Edmonton's 65 transit officers to get security clearance with the police, providing more opportunities to attend intelligence meetings and share information.

The report also recommends the city upgrade Stadium and Coliseum stations to fit design plans aimed at reducing crime. The plans emphasize open sight lines and clearly differentiating between public and private spaces, such as fare zones.

Edmonton's LRTsystem provides about 24.6 million rides per year.