Top 5 Safest Areas in Burnaby Based on Police Reports
Based on 2023–2024 Burnaby RCMP crime statistics and community safety audits, the five safest areas in Burnaby are Brentwood Park, Burnaby Lake Area, Deer Lake / Morley, Capitol Hill, and West Burnaby (Kingsway West corridor). These neighborhoods report violent crime rates 30–50% below the city average and property crime rates 25–40% below the city average, with police response times averaging 8–12 minutes for emergencies.
1. Cost of Living in Burnaby's Safest Areas
Living in Burnaby's safest neighborhoods comes with a price premium. Based on 2024 data from the City of Burnaby Planning Department and the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver, the table below summarizes average housing costs.
| Neighborhood | Avg. Home Price (C$) | Avg. Rent 2-Bed (C$/mo) | Price Premium vs. Burnaby Avg. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brentwood Park | $1,450,000 | $2,600 | +18% |
| Burnaby Lake Area | $1,850,000 | $2,900 | +28% |
| Deer Lake / Morley | $2,500,000+ | $3,200 | +45% |
| Capitol Hill | $1,200,000 | $2,400 | +10% |
| West Burnaby (Kingsway West) | $1,380,000 | $2,500 | +15% |
Source: REBGV Market Report 2024; City of Burnaby Housing Data.
2. Top 5 Safest Areas in Burnaby — Ranked by Police Data
The following ranking is based on 2023–2024 Burnaby RCMP neighborhood crime reports, which track violent crime (assault, robbery, homicide) and property crime (break-in, theft, vandalism) per 1,000 residents.
- Brentwood Park — Violent crime: 4.2/1,000 | Property crime: 28/1,000 | 24% below city average. Family-oriented, many new condo developments with good lighting and security.
- Burnaby Lake Area — Violent crime: 2.8/1,000 | Property crime: 22/1,000 | 38% below city average. Low-density residential, natural buffers, active community patrol.
- Deer Lake / Morley — Violent crime: 3.1/1,000 | Property crime: 25/1,000 | 34% below city average. High-end estate area, private security, gated streets.
- Capitol Hill — Violent crime: 3.5/1,000 | Property crime: 30/1,000 | 30% below city average. Quiet, established single-family homes, strong block watch.
- West Burnaby (Kingsway West) — Violent crime: 4.0/1,000 | Property crime: 32/1,000 | 22% below city average. Mix of residential and commercial, well-policed corridor.
3. Step-by-Step Guide to Choosing a Safe Neighborhood in Burnaby
Follow these five steps to verify safety before moving to any Burnaby neighborhood, using official police data and open resources.
- Check the Burnaby RCMP Community Crime Map — Visit burnaby.rcmp.ca/crime-mapping to view recent incidents by address.
- Review the City's Open Data Portal — data.burnaby.ca publishes annual police statistics by neighborhood.
- Walk the area at different times — Check lighting, foot traffic, and general atmosphere after dark.
- Talk to the local Community Police Office — Each of the top 5 areas has a dedicated liaison officer (see Section 4).
- Compare vacancy rates and rental turnover — Low vacancy (under 1%) often correlates with high desirability and safety (see Section 7).
Source: Burnaby RCMP Community Engagement Guide 2024; City of Burnaby Open Data.
4. Local Police Stations & Community Safety Offices
Burnaby is policed by the Burnaby RCMP Detachment. Below are the stations and community offices serving the top 5 safest areas.
- Burnaby RCMP Main Detachment — 6355 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby, BC V5G 3T2 | Phone: 604-646-9999 (non-emergency) | Emergency: 911
- Brentwood Community Police Office — 4567 Lougheed Highway, Unit 104 | Phone: 604-646-9999 (non-emergency)
- Capitol Hill Community Police Office — 245 Oxford Street | Phone: 604-646-9999 (non-emergency)
- Edmonds Community Police Office — 7315 Edmonds Street (serves West Burnaby area) | Phone: 604-646-9999 (non-emergency)
All community offices are open Monday–Friday 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. for walk-in crime reporting and safety inquiries.
Source: Burnaby RCMP Contact Page.
5. Comprehensive Safety Analysis — Is Burnaby Safe?
Burnaby's overall Crime Severity Index (CSI) stands at 68.4 (2023), compared to the Canadian national average of 78.2 and Vancouver's 95.1 (Statistics Canada, Canadian Crime Index 2023). The city is considered moderately safe, but the top 5 areas bring the CSI down to 42–55.
| Crime Type | Burnaby City Avg. (per 1,000) | Top 5 Areas Avg. (per 1,000) | Reduction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 6.5 | 3.5 | −46% |
| Property Crime | 38.0 | 27.4 | −28% |
| Break & Enter | 7.2 | 4.1 | −43% |
| Theft from Vehicle | 12.5 | 8.3 | −34% |
Source: Burnaby RCMP 2023 Annual Statistical Report; Statistics Canada.
6. Police Response Time & Efficiency
Burnaby RCMP uses a priority dispatch system. Based on the RCMP Performance Dashboard (2023–2024), average response times are:
- Priority 1 (Emergency, life-threatening): 8–12 minutes (90th percentile: 14 min)
- Priority 2 (In-progress property crime, minor assault): 25–40 minutes
- Priority 3 (Property damage, theft under $5,000): 60–90 minutes
- Non-emergency (reports, lost property): 1–4 hours, or by appointment
All five safe areas fall within the 8–12 minute window for Priority 1 calls due to their proximity to main detachment and community offices.
Source: Burnaby RCMP Operational Statistics 2024; BC E-Comm 911 Data.
7. Vacancy Rates in Burnaby's Safest Neighborhoods
Rental vacancy rates are a strong indicator of neighborhood desirability and stability. According to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) Rental Market Report 2024:
- Brentwood Park: 1.0–1.2% — Moderate turnover due to new condo inventory
- Burnaby Lake Area: 0.6–0.8% — Very low, high demand
- Deer Lake / Morley: 0.5–0.7% — Extremely low, mostly owner-occupied
- Capitol Hill: 0.7–0.9% — Low, stable family rentals
- West Burnaby: 0.9–1.1% — Slightly higher, mixed housing types
Citywide vacancy rate in Burnaby is 0.9% (CMHC 2024). The top 5 areas are all at or below this average, confirming their high demand and low residential turnover.
Source: CMHC Rental Market Report — Greater Vancouver 2024.
8. Nearby Hospitals & Emergency Services
Residents of Burnaby's safest areas have access to the following hospitals and emergency departments:
- Burnaby Hospital — 3935 Kincaid Street, Burnaby, BC V5G 2X6 | Phone: 604-434-4211 | Emergency Department open 24/7. Average wait time for non-life-threatening cases: 3.5–5.5 hours (2024 ED Wait Time Report).
- Royal Columbian Hospital — 330 E Columbia Street, New Westminster, BC V3L 3W7 | Phone: 604-520-4253 | Level III trauma center, 8 min drive from West Burnaby.
- BC Children's Hospital — 4500 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1 | 25 min from Brentwood Park.
Source: Fraser Health Authority; fraserhealth.ca.
9. Road Safety & Traffic Infractions
Burnaby's safest areas are also among its most walkable and well-policed. Major roads in these areas include Kingsway, Canada Way, Willingdon Avenue, Hastings Street, and Boundary Road. The City of Burnaby Transportation Department reports the following common traffic fines (effective 2024, under the Motor Vehicle Act R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 318):
| Offense | Fine (C$) | Penalty Points |
|---|---|---|
| Speeding (1–20 km/h over) | $138 | 3 |
| Speeding (21–40 km/h over) | $253 | 4 |
| Speeding (41+ km/h over) | $483 | 6 |
| Distracted Driving (phone) | $368 | 4 |
| Failure to Stop at Red Light | $167 | 3 |
| Parking in a Fire Route | $100 | — |
Source: BC Government Traffic Ticket Fines; City of Burnaby Bylaws.
10. Real Crime Statistics & Case Studies
Below are three anonymized case studies drawn from Burnaby RCPM community reports (2023–2024) that illustrate the types of incidents occurring in and near the top 5 safe areas, along with resolution outcomes.
Case Study A — Attempted Theft from Vehicle (Brentwood Park)
Date: March 2024 | Location: 2000-block of Brentwood Avenue | Incident: Suspect attempted to break into a locked vehicle at 2:30 a.m. Neighbour alerted via home security camera and called 911. Police arrived within 9 minutes. Suspect was arrested on scene. Outcome: Charged under Criminal Code s. 348 (break and enter) and s. 322 (theft). Vehicle damage: $1,200.
Case Study B — Residential Burglary Deterred (Burnaby Lake Area)
Date: November 2023 | Location: 7000-block of Burnaby Lake Parkway | Incident: Two suspects attempted to force open a rear sliding door. A neighbour's dog barked, and the suspects fled. Police were called and conducted a K9 track. No entry gained. Outcome: No charges, but patrols increased. Area watch program reinforced.
Case Study C — Fraud Prevention (Capitol Hill)
Date: June 2024 | Location: 4000-block of Albert Street | Incident: An 82-year-old resident received a phone scam demanding C$5,000. She recognized the red flags from a community police presentation and reported it. Outcome: No financial loss. Suspect number traced. The Burnaby RCMP Fraud Unit issued a public alert.
Overall Trend: In the top 5 areas, property crime decreased 12% year-over-year from 2022 to 2023, while violent crime remained flat. These areas benefit from active community policing and neighborhood watch programs.
Source: Burnaby RCMP Neighborhood Crime Reports 2023–2024; Burnaby RCMP Crime Prevention.
11. Official Resources, Contacts & Waiting Times
Access the most authoritative sources for Burnaby safety data, along with typical waiting times for key services.
Key Government Offices & Addresses
- Burnaby RCMP Detachment — 6355 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby, BC V5G 3T2 | Walk-in report waiting time: 15–40 minutes (non-peak hours)
- City of Burnaby — Community Safety Office — 4949 Canada Way, Burnaby, BC V5G 1M2 | Phone: 604-294-7200 | Office hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- BC Ministry of Public Safety & Solicitor General — 980 Robson Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2C6 | Annual crime statistics released each July.
- Burnaby Public Library — Safety Resource Desk — 6100 Willingdon Avenue, Burnaby, BC V5H 4N5 | Free access to crime data portals.
Typical Waiting Times for Services
| Service | Average Wait Time | Peak Time |
|---|---|---|
| Police non-emergency phone (604-646-9999) | 4–8 min | Evenings 6–9 p.m. |
| Walk-in police report (RCMP detachment) | 15–40 min | Mon 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. |
| Emergency Room (Burnaby Hospital, non-critical) | 3.5–5.5 hrs | Weekends |
| City permit application (safety-related) | 5–10 business days | Spring/Summer |
Source: Burnaby RCMP; Fraser Health; City of Burnaby Service Standards 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top 5 safest areas in Burnaby based on police reports?
A. The top 5 areas are Brentwood Park, Burnaby Lake Area, Deer Lake / Morley, Capitol Hill, and West Burnaby (Kingsway West corridor). These neighborhoods consistently show the lowest crime rates per 1,000 residents in Burnaby RCMP data.
Is Burnaby, BC a safe place to live?
A. Yes, Burnaby is safer than most Canadian cities of comparable size. Its Crime Severity Index (68.4) is 13% below the national average. Violent crime rates (6.5/1,000) are significantly lower than Vancouver (9.5/1,000). The top 5 areas are even safer, with violent crime rates 30–50% below the city average.
What is the crime rate in Burnaby's safest neighborhoods?
A. Violent crime rates range from 2.8 to 4.2 per 1,000 residents, and property crime rates range from 22 to 32 per 1,000 residents, based on 2023–2024 Burnaby RCMP data. This is 30–50% lower than the citywide average.
How long does it take for Burnaby police to respond to a call?
A. Priority 1 (life-threatening) calls average 8–12 minutes. Priority 2 (in-progress property crime) averages 25–40 minutes. Non-emergency reports typically take 1–4 hours. The top 5 safe areas all fall within the fastest response tier.
What is the average cost of living in Burnaby's safest areas?
A. Average home prices range from C$1,200,000 (Capitol Hill) to over C$2,500,000 (Deer Lake). Average 2-bedroom rent ranges from C$2,400 (Capitol Hill) to C$3,200 (Deer Lake). These are 10–45% above the Burnaby citywide average.
Which hospitals serve Burnaby's safest neighborhoods?
A. Burnaby Hospital (3935 Kincaid Street) is the primary facility, with Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster serving as a Level III trauma center for West Burnaby. Average ER wait time for non-critical cases is 3.5–5.5 hours.
What is the vacancy rate in Burnaby's safest areas?
A. Vacancy rates range from 0.5% (Deer Lake) to 1.2% (Brentwood Park), compared to the citywide average of 0.9%. These extremely low rates indicate very high demand and neighborhood stability.
How can I access official crime statistics for Burnaby?
A. Visit burnaby.rcmp.ca for the Community Crime Map and annual reports, data.burnaby.ca for open data, and Statistics Canada for the Canadian Crime Index. Non-emergency line: 604-646-9999.
Official Resources
The information provided on this page is for general informational and educational purposes only. Crime statistics are based on publicly available data from Burnaby RCMP, Statistics Canada, and the City of Burnaby, and may not reflect the most current incidents or trends. Always verify with official sources before making relocation or investment decisions.
This content does not constitute legal, financial, or real estate advice. The Criminal Code of Canada (R.S.C., 1985, c. C-46), the British Columbia Motor Vehicle Act (R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 318), and all referenced statutes are subject to amendment. Readers should consult qualified professionals for advice specific to their situation.
All external links include rel="nofollow" and are provided for reference only. The website owner does not endorse or guarantee the accuracy of third-party content.
Last updated: January 2025. Data sourced from Burnaby RCMP 2023 Annual Report, Statistics Canada Catalogue 85-002-X, CMHC Rental Market Report 2024, and City of Burnaby Open Data.