There were fewer murders, car thefts and drug overdose deaths in Regina last year compared with 2023, according to the latest crime stats, something the city’s police chief says is partly due to more officers on the streets.
“In the past four years alone we’ve increased our police establishment by 46 cops,” Regina Police Service Chief Farooq Sheikh said.
“We’re still under where we need to be, but more resources, more resilience out there gives an opportunity to actually reduce crime.”
Sheikh’s comments came after a meeting of the city’s board of police commissioners on Tuesday, where a report detailing the 2024 crime stats was tabled.
The stats showed crime down nearly across the board in 2024, with a few exceptions.
Sexual assaults were up by 22 per cent and sexual crimes up 63 per cent, but Sheikh said that is because more people are reporting these crimes, not because more assaults are happening.
The report showed both property crime and crimes against people were down by nearly six per cent combined.
Car thefts were down by 13 per cent and homicides dropped 45 per cent — six last year compared with 11 in 2023.
Sheikh said it’s important to let the public know that, contrary to what many people think, crime is actually down in Regina.
Business owners say more police can be a mixed bag
Chad Boudreau, an owner of ComicReaders on 11th Avenue, said he sees people struggling with addiction daily in downtown Regina.
“I would agree there is a perception that downtown is more dangerous. I hear that from people who call and don’t want to come in.”
Sheikh said the perception that downtown is dangerous is why the RPS is putting more police officers there. He said starting Jan. 25, a mix of special constables and RPS officers will be moved to work and patrol the downtown during the day and afternoon.
“A lot of the businesses are concerned downtown. A lot of shoppers are reluctant to go downtown to shop. We need to change that. We need to make people feel safe.”
But Boudreau said a more visible police presence can actually make some people nervous and give the impression that the downtown is more dangerous than it is.
“Having police keeping property and people safe that’s a good thing. But they don’t help people get off the street and deal with their issues and drug intervention.”