Port Alberni once again has the dubious distinction of being among Canada’s most dangerous cities.
The annual MacLeans Magazine survey of crime statistics puts Port Alberni as the 17th most dangerous city in Canada for violent crimes, and 18th for overall crime.
According to the stats, Port Alberni has double the National average of assaults and B&E’s per capita, and three times the number of drunk driving charges.
Mayor Sharie Minions isn’t shying away from the statistics, and is looking to face the reasons behind the numbers.
“The numbers are what they are, and I think we very much need to look beyond the numbers and where we may rank and just start having more conversations about what we’re going to do about it as a community,” she said. “I think we are seeing some successes here, and some really innovative programs coming in to play that may not have had a direct impact on the numbers yet but I’m really confident that they will.”
Minions said the new Quu-asa program, community policing building, CMHA programs and upcoming provincial announcement about more money for police will assist.
She said she has reached out to mayors of other BC cities like Prince Rupert and Quesnel who are also looking to improve safety levels in their communities.
Port Alberni ranks as the 17th most violent city in Canada, down from 13th last year and 7th in 2018.
Thompson Manitoba has taken top spot for all three years.
