Open drug use targeted during downtown enforcement project

Lethbridge Police arrested three dozen people for openly using drugs and seized their illicit substances as part of an enforcement initiative targeting crime and disorder downtown. 

The project is part of a series of enforcement operations that have taken placed throughout the year involving uniform and covert officers actively targeting offenders engaged in criminal actively and other negative behaviours that impact downtown. 

In addition to open drug use, police executed 74 warrants, seized methamphetamine and fentanyl, recovered a stolen vehicle and laid 11 criminal charges.

Police remind the public to continue reporting all suspicious and criminal activity by calling 403-328-4444. LPS uses CompStat, a data-driven model where analytics are used to identify high-crime areas, prolific offenders and the most effective deployment of police resources. Knowing what is occurring, where it is happening and how often, helps give police an accurate picture of crime and disorder in the community, and enables more effective deployment of resources and enforcement strategies.

Some crimes can also be reported online, including theft under $10,000, mischief, theft from vehicles and damage to vehicles. There is also a category for ‘information only’ reports where citizens can report nuisance and non-criminal matters. Visit www.lethbridgepolice.ca and click online reporting.