While the crime rate in the city has decreased, city cops are disturbed with Calgary's distinction as the city with the fourth highest homicide rate in the country.
Statistics Canada released the report yesterday indicating the national crime rate dropped in 2007 for the third year and in Calgary crime dropped 8.4 per cent, but acting police chief Murray Stooke is alarmed about the city's homicide rate.
"We're happy the crime rate as a whole is decreasing - its good news, but the homicide rate is clearly a concern," he said.
At 3.1 homicides per 100,000 people, Calgary is behind only Saskatoon Winnipeg, tied at 3.6 each, and our northern neighbour Edmonton at 3.3.
"There is no question gang violence plays a role in the amount of homicides, but we can't forget that domestic violence plays a big role too," Stooke said.
And at already 18 murders this year to date, Calgary is on par to reach another high body count by the end of the year.
Ward 8 Alderman John Mar oversees part of the downtown area and said while the homicide rate is alarming, the majority of Calgarians are still living in a safe city.
"It's concerning but Calgarians aren't dropping dead on the street. For the most part they are safe. If you're a drug dealer on the street you're probably putting yourself at risk," he said.
For Metro Calgary Krista Sylvester 