Red Deer Minute: Hotel Conversion, Crime Rates, and Toy Drive Success

Red Deer Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Red Deer politics

This Week In Red Deer:

• This morning, at 10:30 am, there will be a City Council Meeting. Council will discuss the Q2 RCMP Community Policing Report as well as the Elections Bylaw.
  
  
• On Tuesday, at 5:00 pm, there will be a meeting of the Housing and Homelessness Integration Committee. The agenda includes a report on the remaining Reaching Home 2024/25 funding.
  
  
• The Audit Committee will meet on Wednesday at 1:00 pm. The Committee will receive reports on its 2025 Workplan, as well as a Cash Flow Forecast Update.

Last Week In Red Deer:

• Crime in Red Deer decreased during the third quarter of 2024, with overall criminal offences down by 13% compared to the same period last year, according to an RCMP report. Property crimes dropped by 13%, with significant reductions in break-and-enters (down 37%) and motor vehicle thefts (down 11%). Violent crimes also saw a decrease, including a 50% drop in robberies and an 8% reduction in assaults. However, possession of stolen goods offences rose by 25%. While injury collisions nearly doubled, property damage collisions decreased by 31%.
  
  
• The Baymont by Wyndham completed the conversion of hotel suites into 88 residential rental units. The conversion, which began in 2021, saw rental applications open floor-by-floor, with the final floor completed in July. The units, including bachelor and one-bedroom apartments, offer inclusive rent covering utilities, internet, and cable, along with amenities like a gym. The project has been successful, with most units renting quickly, and the owners are considering expanding with another residential project.
  
  
• The City’s annual Toys for Tickets campaign has raised over $4,800 in toy donations for the Red Deer Christmas Bureau. The initiative, which allows people to pay parking tickets with toy donations, has been running since 2007 and has seen over 10,000 toys donated to families in need. All donated toys were new, in their original packaging, and accompanied by receipts showing their value.

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