The Evergreen Line's arrival in 2016 isn't likely to bring a sudden influx of crime, says a Transit Police report, but that's likely because the stations are being built in areas that are already their communities' crime hotspots.
The report, conducted by Woodrow Analytics and released earlier this year, found the Evergreen Line is not expected to have a significant impact on crime rates in Coquitlam and Port Moody, contrary to common perceptions of SkyTrain lines as gateways to increased criminal activity.
Using data from the PRIME police records system, the report compared crime levels before and after the Canada Line was built between Richmond/YVR and Vancouver as a way of predicting future trends along the Evergreen Line.
It found some changes in certain crime categories in proximity to the Canada Line stations but concluded the "launch of the Canada Line did not appear to increase the level of violent or property crime in the cities of Vancouver or Richmond."
Based on those experiences, it adds, the Evergreen Line is not expected to have a significant impact on violent or property crime in the Tri-Cities, possibly because it is simply replacing an existing high-volume bus route along a major transportation corridor.
As well, the crime data analysis for areas surrounding Canada Line stations found the violent crime hotspots existed before the line opened in August 2009, which is similar to Coquitlam stats for areas surrounding future Evergreen stations.
The Burquitlam Station, located in an area that is already known to be a hot spot for both violent and property crime, makes it an area that "will undoubtedly remain a hub of criminal activity worthy of monitoring," the report states.
At the Coquitlam Central, Lincoln and Lafarge Lake-Douglas stations, there is little expected change in the level of criminal activity because they will be located at or near existing transit hubs and shopping areas.
Coquitlam Central, however, may see greater concentrations of existing property crime activity given the target-rich environment at the nearby park-and-ride lot.
Similarly, the Moody Centre Station being added to an existing West Coast Express station and bus loop means it's not likely to bring any significant increase in crime.
The Inlet Centre Station's proximity to restaurants, bars and pubs means that area may experience "occasional increases in nighttime activity related to liquor or intoxication-related offences," the report notes.
And while PoMo and Coquitlam have seen a slight decrease in violent crime over the past several years, much of it is concentrated in areas surrounding future Evergreen stations.
"On average, 23% of the violent crime [in Port Moody] since 2004 has been located within a 500-metre buffer of future Evergreen Line stations," according to the report, which found PoMo's violent crimes tend to be along the St. Johns Street corridor and in Newport Village.
As well, Coquitlam's distribution of violent crimes in the past six years has been found largely in areas surrounding the future transit stations.
Coquitlam RCMP Const. Michelle Luca said the local detachment is aware of the Transit Police report, noting it reinforces the local Mounties' own findings from their crime-reduction strategy.
"As for the future, we are doing what we always do, which is to work with the cities of Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam to make sure we are able to address existing public safety needs and preparing for the future," Luca added.
Port Moody Police Const. Luke van Winkel said when the Evergreen Line opens, PoMo residents can expect to see an increased police and bylaw officer presence in the areas likely to be affected.
"We believe that through proactive, intelligence-led police intervention, targeted enforcement and community participation we will be able to mitigate any drastic changes to the area," he said.
Van Winkel also noted that although crimes tend to be concentrated around future Evergreen stations, PoMo's overall violent crime rates are "quite low."
