These communities have historically been subject to high levels of victimization and crime which has been magnified by the Covid-19 pandemic. Several factors including reduced ridership on transit, economic challenges, and difficulty in accessing social and mental health supports by individuals experiencing homelessness and/or addictions may be contributing to this upward trend.
Project Connection commenced in May 2022 and will continue in a phased approach, ensuring all aspects of evidence-based community focused and human centered policing will be utilized.
The geographical focus of Project Connection will be:
- 113 Street to 79 Street along 118 Avenue
- 100 Avenue encompassing the Downtown Core, Chinatown, and Alberta Avenue
- Edmonton Transit LRT Stations including Stadium LRT Station, Coliseum LRT Station, Central LRT Station, Churchill LRT Station and the adjacent pedway system
The goal of Phase 1 is to increase community safety for community members, businesses and those individuals with vulnerabilities who require additional support. This will be achieved through community engagement of individuals and stakeholders, an increase in proactive location-based policing and an increase in prosocial behavior through education, awareness, and enforcement, as needed.