City News: ‘Something has to change’: Edmonton mayoral candidate Jaffer promises to increase policing, reduce crime
Edmonton mayoral candidate Rahim Jaffer announces plan for reducing crime, if elected. (Matt Battochio, CityNews)
By Cole Fortner
Posted August 26, 2025 3:13 pm.
One of Edmonton’s mayoral candidates for the 2025 municipal election has released the platform he’ll be running on.
Tuesday, Rahim Jaffer announced he’ll be looking to reduce crime and increase policing in the city if he’s elected mayor.
“People don’t feel safe in Edmonton anymore, and that’s just not OK,” Jaffer said. “Families are scared to walk downtown. Seniors don’t want to take our buses and trains. Businesses are hiring private security. This isn’t the Edmonton we know and love. Something has to change.”
Jaffer pointed to the rising number of violent crimes committed in Edmonton over the last few years, noting that in 2019, there were 13,224 violent incidents reported. That number has increased to 16,652 in 2024.
“I’ve heard loud and clear from Edmontonians at my Revive Edmonton town halls: people want more boots on the ground, more presence, and more protection,” Jaffer said. “My plan responds directly to what I’ve heard, and it invests in what matters most: the safety of Edmontonians.”
Edmonton mayoral candidate Rahim Jaffer announces platform of reducing crime if elected. (Matt Battochio, CityNews)
In an effort to reduce crime, Jaffer says he’ll be looking to add 500 new police officers over four years. These officers will focus on community policing, beat patrols, and rapid response.
Additionally, Jaffer is looking to improve safety on Edmonton transit through additional arrest-and-detain authority training for peace officers and by renovating LRT stations to improve safety with measures like turnstile gates.
Jaffer says he’ll also be looking to add more CCTV cameras in high-crime areas such as the Entertainment District, Chinatown, and Coliseum.
“This is a bold plan that is uncompromising when it comes to protecting people,” Jaffer said. “If I’m elected in October, we’re going to take back our streets from the gangs and criminals who’ve taken them over. We’re going to support our frontline officers. And we’re going to restore order in every corner of the city, and make it clear: this is our home, and we’re not giving it up.”
Edmontontians head to the polls Oct. 20.
