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Looking back at the statistics from 2025, the Saskatoon Police Service is reporting a 7.7 per cent decline in property crimes.
“We started out the year seeing this trend in property crime and a reduction of property crime and I would like to believe that some of that is a result of community members guarding their own space and community members being diligent to look after one another,” Saskatoon Police Chief Cam McBride said.
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However, McBride explained that sometimes certain statistics may appear distorted because many incidents go unreported.
“If the community is not reporting, all we can report on is what the community is telling us is happening,” he said in an interview with 650 CKOM News.
This year, the police chief said the service is looking to implement a more user-friendly online reporting platform for the community.
“If you see something, say something,” McBride said. “If you’re the victim of crime, please report it.”
McBride pointed out a 19 per cent decline in residential break-ins from 2024 to 2025, calling the significant reduction “huge.”
“It’s very, very uncommon that somebody would have their residence broken into and not report it to the police, because a break and enter to your residence is such a significant violation of your space,” he said.
Another significant reduction was the 25 per cent decline in detached building break-ins from 2024 to 2025.
“Some people might have their sheds broken into and they don’t report it, but I would say probably most people do report it,” McBride said.
While the numbers reveal a downtrend in property crime, downtown business owner Sydney Sylvester says her reality is different.
The Perrfect Cup Cafe shown here, vandalized. (Mia Holowaychuk/650 CKOM)
The Perrfect Cup Cat Cafe has been the target of broken windows on two occasions last year just weeks apart and now Sylvester is planning to move to another location across from Midtown.
“I would definitely say crime is the same, if not worse,” she said.
Sylvester said past police reports she’s made have not resulted in any meaningful action and said part of the issue is because it has been difficult for police to identify the suspects.
She also said police reports can be tedious and she understands why some business owners might not have the time to fill one out.
“What is the point of making a report if you know it doesn’t really matter or kind of go anywhere,” Sylvester said.
Sylvester said she has not replaced the window after the second time it was broken out of concern that her business would be targeted again. However, the board covering the window has since been spray painted with graffiti.
“It just shows how many different kinds of crime are happening (like) graffiti, vandalism, theft, drug use,” she said.
McBride said the police services acknowledges concerns surrounding property crime in the community and says the addition of more officers this year will help with enforcement downtown and other city areas.
“We are absolutely using the voices of the community to direct our operations and to change our operations,” McBride said.
McBride said many cases of property crimes involve individuals who are suffering with mental health and addiction issues and noted the police force is working with community partners to provide support.
