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© UnknownPolice and firefighters continue to investigate at the scene of a fatal fire at the Bethany Senior Citizens Home, 9920 - 83 Ave
In the wake of what may be the city's 34th homicide of the year, city officials continue to maintain the spike in murders is simply an anomaly.

"This is an aberration, this is not indicative of what's to come," said Edmonton Police Association President Tony Simioni. "We have to consider this year a freak of nature."

Simioni said if police did see an emerging trend they would be actively implementing strategies to combat it.

"I don't think this is a new precedent for Edmonton, and I don't think it will last," he said. "For the average Edmontonian, this is still a safe place to live."

Many of the suspects and victims were people who knew each other and engaged in high-risk behaviour, he noted.

"I'd say if you're living a high-risk lifestyle or engaging in criminal behaviour, then yes, it may not be a safe place for you," said Simioni.

Meanwhile, Dean Parthenis, spokesman for Edmonton Police Services, said recent comments made by the a city spokesman regarding the high murder rate were inaccurate.

The spokesman was quoted attributing the recent spike in homicides to both Edmonton's booming economy and it's proclivity for attract oil patch workers.

"I spoke with a homicide Staff Sergeant who wasn't aware of a homicide case that could be linked to the booming economy or oil patch workers," said Parthenis.

angelique.rodrigues@sunmedia.ca