The Pulse: May 19, 2026

This week, city council is set to review the Edmonton Police Service's annual report.

The Crime Severity Index, a measure of the number and seriousness of crimes reported to police, was pegged at 107 in 2025, down from 109 the previous year and lower than in any of the five years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. The index weighs serious crimes such as homicide or sexual assault more heavily than theft or vandalism, for example. At the same time, the total crime rate increased after two years of decline.

The service is shifting to a more proactive model, the report said. "The old call-and-respond model no longer fits the needs of our community," Chief Warren Driechel said in the report's opening message. "We cannot expect sustained progress if we are spending more time responding to crime than preventing it."

One example of proactive policing is Project Unify, where police patrolled the LRT system with transit peace officers in an effort to prevent and intervene in crime and disorder. During the deployment of the teams, there was a 230% increase in crimes reported by police and an 11% decrease in crimes reported by the public at the patrolled transit stations, the report said.

Reports of social disorder decreased by nearly 10% between 2024 and 2025. The report said this reflects "the progress made by federal, provincial and municipal government institutions, EPS, and social sector partners in improving citizens' conditions, supporting victims, and reducing or containing these incidents." However, public drug use and encampments remain top concerns for residents, it said.

An annual survey suggested that confidence in police has declined slightly, with 52% of respondents saying the police are doing a good or excellent job, down from 56% in 2024. The percentage of respondents who feel safe walking alone after dark increased from 65% to 70% in the same time period.

The report noted traffic fatalities increased in 2025, attributing it largely to more vehicle–pedestrian collisions and a rise in motorcycle-involved deaths, alongside contributing risky behaviours such as speeding and impaired driving. The police said it shares traffic fatality trends with the City of Edmonton's safe mobility team, which leads Vision Zero initiatives such as roadway changes, public engagement campaigns, and pedestrian safety measures. EPS supports this work with targeted enforcement, the report said.

Council will review the report on May 19 in the afternoon. Other reports to be considered include recommendations from council committees on tax forgiveness, municipal historic resource designation, and council's policy for supporting vulnerable people during extreme weather conditions.

• Edmonton has introduced a new pet bylaw that imposes tougher regulations on dog and cat owners. Owners of vicious dogs must display warning signs and complete mandatory behaviour training, with fines for attacks ranging from $250 to $3,000. Edmonton faces about 1,000 dog attacks annually. The bylaw manages about 70,000 feral cats by allowing volunteers to care for them without ownership obligations. Other changes include enhanced animal welfare protections, such as fines for unsafe pet conditions, free or discounted animal licences, and clearer urban agriculture rules.
• Coun. Michael Janz is calling for a portion of 99th Avenue near the Alberta legislature to be renamed Forever Canadian Avenue. Janz's initiative aims to celebrate patriotism following a pro-federalist petition that gathered more than 400,000 signatures. Janz argued that the separatist movement in Alberta jeopardizes investment and prosperity in Edmonton. His proposal comes after an Edmonton court dismissed a separatist group's petition for an Alberta independence referendum.
• Renowned Indigenous cellist Cris Derksen died in a car accident on May 15 near Slave Lake while returning from her father's funeral. Derksen, who is from North Tallcree reserve, was celebrated for fusing Indigenous rhythms with classical music. A mentor and global performer, Derksen received numerous accolades, including Juno nominations.
• The Global Economic Diversification Council summit is taking place in Edmonton, focusing on strategies to diversify the economy beyond traditional industries. The summit serves as a platform for exchanging ideas and best practices, emphasizing Edmonton's role in fostering economic growth and resilience in a changing global economy.
• Alberta's cool spring weather has delayed the activity of insects such as bees, wasps, and ants. Despite their non-native origin, dandelions play a crucial role in supporting these pollinators by providing nectar and pollen. Jenkins, an entomologist, notes that field ants, attracted to sugars and proteins, help aerate the soil and serve as food for other animals. Homeowners can manage ant invasions by sealing entry points and removing food sources. Pharaoh ants, a particularly challenging species, often nest in warm household spaces.
• The Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village east of Edmonton has reopened to the public, one year after a fire destroyed its visitor centre and about 27,000 historical artifacts, including items original to the site's historic buildings. While Alberta Infrastructure is overseeing the visitor centre's reconstruction, a temporary reception area has been set up to welcome visitors.
• Alberta is investigating the death of a man who died after waiting six hours in Edmonton's Royal Alexandra Hospital emergency room. Physician Paul Parks of the Alberta Medical Association highlighted severe overcrowding as a persistent issue. Alberta Health Services and Acute Care Alberta are reviewing the case to propose improvements. Earlier calls from Edmonton physicians in January warned of the poor conditions, pressing the government to address systemic issues, including underfunding and rapid population growth.

Here are some events happening today in the Edmonton area.

• Beverly Farmers' Market starting at 3pm at Riverview Crossing Mall
• Dev Edmonton Society Mega Meetup starting at 5pm at Edmonton Public Library (Stanley A. Milner)
• Spilt Spring Series - Fresh Herbs starting at 6:15pm at Spilt
• Autumn starting at 7:30pm at Varscona Theatre
• From Cradle to Stage starting at 7:30pm at Walterdale Theatre

And here are some upcoming events to keep in mind:

• May 26: Caring in Canada at Bison Lodge
• May 28: The Future of Cybersecurity: Securing trust in the age of LLMs at Edmonton Unlimited
• May 29: Love Pro Wrestling 48: Where Everybody Knows Your Name at The Rec Room (South Common)

Visit the Taproot Edmonton Calendar for many more events in the Edmonton region.

Test your crossword prowess and deploy a little of your Edmonton knowledge. Complete the puzzle.

Need a hint for 1-Across and 6-Across? Here you go.