The Three Rivers Town Council in Prince Edward Island approved a new plan on March 9, 2026, to study local crime and find ways to make the community safer. The project will look at the specific safety needs of residents across the area to help guide future town policies and spending.
The study will be led by Dr. Chris Giacomantonio, a researcher from Dalhousie University. The RCMP has confirmed it will participate in the project, which is being moved forward quickly to meet provincial funding timelines.
This assessment will analyze crime trends and safety concerns across the municipality, which includes communities like Montague, Georgetown, and Cardigan. It aims to provide advice based on local data rather than general provincial rules, helping the town decide where to put new resources or safety programs.
The decision to start the study follows provincial data showing that violent crime in Prince Edward Island rose by 16.1 per cent in 2023. Local leaders have also dealt with safety issues directly, including a time in November 2024 when a public meeting had to be held online because of aggressive threats made against council members.
Dr. Giacomantonio completed a similar safety study for the City of Summerside in July 2025. That project found that many calls to police were actually related to homelessness and mental health, suggesting that better social services could help lower crime rates in the community.
