Moose Jaw is one of Canada’s most violent cities, according to a new study released by Maclean’s magazine, although the municipality’s ranking changes based on the type of crime.
The annual report ranked 237 communities according to the Crime Severity Index (CSI), a Statistics Canada measure of all police-reported crime that considers the volume and seriousness of offences. The 2018 data, the most current available, was released July 23, 2019.
Amid a two-per-cent increase in crime reported across the country, the magazine’s latest ranking of Canada’s hottest crime spots shows many of the same communities are struggling to reduce their crime rates.
North Battleford remained in first place overall with the highest CSI, while for the fourth year in a row, Thompson, Man., had highest rate of violent crimes.
Saskatchewan rankings
The following Saskatchewan communities earned a spot on Maclean’s list for having the highest Crime Severity Index:
- North Battleford, rank No. 1: CSI score of 385
- Prince Albert and area, No. 6: 238
- Lloydminster, No. 12: 166
- Yorkton, No. 17: 151
- Saskatoon, No. 23: 133
- Regina and area: No. 24: 132
- Moose Jaw, No. 32: 121
- Weyburn, No. 63: 93
- Estevan, No. 74: 87
- Swift Current, No. 83: 83
- Langham and Warman, No. 223: 28
CSI provides weights to the different crimes. The more serious the crime, the greater it is weighed or ranked. This community’s CSI ranking has increased since 2013, when it was 98, putting it 41st in Canada at that time.
Moose Jaw statistics
Moose Jaw’s violent crime severity index ranking is 100, placing it 52nd overall. This community’s violent CSI — which increased from 45 in 2013 — reflects increases in robberies, assaults and other crimes against the person.
Homicide, assaults and bodily harm
With Moose Jaw seeing two homicide incidents, the municipality’s rate per 100,000 population is 5.71 — an increase — compared to the national average of 1.76, ranking us in 19th position.
There were 214 assaults, making the community’s rate per 100,000 people at 610.52 — a decrease — compared to the average of 457.01, giving the community a rank of 58th place.
There were 43 sexual assaults, making the rate per 100,000 people at 122.67 — an increase — compared to the national average of 75.89, placing the community 39th in Canada.
There were four firearms offences last year, giving the municipality a rate per 100,000 people at 11.41 — an increase — compared to the average of 7.58, placing Moose Jaw 32nd overall.
Thefts and property crime
There were 13 robberies, making Moose Jaw’s per 100,000 population at 37.09 — a decrease — compared to the national average of 60.58, placing the community in 87th position.
Moose Jaw saw 244 break and enter incidents, giving the community a rate per 100,000 people at 696.11 — an increase — compared to the average of 431.24, placing us 37th countrywide.
There were 253 incidents of fraud, making the community’s rate per 100,000 population at 721.78 — an increase — compared to the national average of 349.2, placing Moose Jaw 22nd.
Drug offences
There were 118 incidents of impaired driving, making Moose Jaw’s rate per 100,000 people at 336.64 — a decrease — compared the average of 190.49, placing us in 50th position.
Before the legalization of marijuana, there were eight incidents of cannabis trafficking or production, making Moose Jaw’s rate per 100,000 people 22.82 — an increase — compared to the Canadian average of 22.5, giving the community a rank of 37th position.
There were four incidents of cocaine trafficking or production last year, making the community’s rate per 100,000 people 11.41 — a decrease — compared to the national average of 20.03, placing Moose Jaw 137th nationwide.
Moose Jaw saw nine incidents of trafficking or production of other controlled drugs, making the municipality’s rate per 100,000 people 25.68 — a decrease — compared to the Canadian average of 31.58, placing the community 86th countrywide.
Youth crime
There were 20 incidents of youth crime, making Moose Jaw’s rate per 100,000 people 57.06 — a decrease — compared to the national average of 13.01, placing the community 16th overall.
More information can be found at www.macleans.ca.
