This is one list you don't want to be number one. Stats Canada recently released their numbers of crime severity across the country, and Estevan is standing out...in a good way.

"When we looked at 2015," shared Police Chief, Paul Ladouceur, "our overall ranking was 28th in the category of crime severity overall. When we look at 2016, we were 52nd, and when we look at 2017, we are 103rd."

"That's quite telling of the hard work the members are doing. When we look at the province, we have the best ranking and that's something we're really proud of."

However, he does caution against getting too wrapped up with the numbers.

"Statistics are statistics and there can be a number of factors that influence those numbers. The economy, population can go up and down a little bit in our community and no doubt that has some bearing on it but I think all in all when you look at the drastic change in those numbers, it's telling that we're doing something right."

He credits the creation of the drug and intelligence unit as well as the criminal investigations division and community work that members do as contributing factors to the decline. 

"In 2015, we saw a large number of drug traffickers coming from outside the city into the city. With that came some violence as well. What happened was we made numerous arrests, repeat arrests of these people who were coming in. What would happen is we would arrest them and charge them and as quick as we arrested and charged them, new ones would arrive. A lot coming from the west and then they would then be arrested."

"What eventually starts to happen is the message starts to get sent that if you're going to come here and deal drugs, you're going to get caught."

He also credits the support of the public with the decrease in crime.

"We are seeing calls that we didn't see historically coming into the police service. I've definitely noticed an increase since I've been here of the public's assistance. Kudos to them, it doesn't happen by just the police service alone."

Overall, Ladocuer is pleased with the way crime is trending in the City of Estevan. 

"We're now three years running, we're falling each year and I think that's good news. You never know what in 2018 will happen. You might have a couple major instances that throw you off so we have to be cognizant of that."

To check out the numbers for Estevan, click here.