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Acting police chief expects rise in tech crimes Continued from page 3 9 · Wednesday, August 22, 2012 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com Only a few types of crime have significantly increased. For example, fraud is up from 777 incidents in 2001 to 1,432 last year. This follows a national trend of fraud increasing through the use of technology, Fletcher said. The Internet makes fraud borderless. The grandparent scam, where criminals pose as relatives needing money, is also prevalent. "We're putting a lot more resources into fraud crime." Acting Halton Police Chief Andrew Fletcher "We're putting a lot more resources into fraud crime," he said. And he expects to see "technology crimes" continue to rise. Other areas of crime on the rise: people not showing up to court and police officers being assaulted. Fletcher said there has been a notable attitude shift, particularly among young men, that leads them to question police and sometimes become aggressive. Fletcher said Halton Region is fortunate because more of its population is affluent than in other communities. He said this means people can afford to take care of their properties, maybe buy alarms and are educated about protecting themselves. It also means that, unlike police services in communities that have had to tighten their belts, Halton Regional Police have been able to continue to grow their service with the population. As the region's population has grown from 390,235 in 2001 to 518,660 in 2011, the number of sworn police officers has increased to keep a steady rate of almost 1.3 officers per 1,000 people. There were 629 officers in Halton as of last year. In particular, the growth in Milton has allowed the service to hire more officers, he said. The steady staffing level allows the police service to send officers into schools and sit on working groups and provincial committees. For years, Halton police focused on domestic violence and they're now seeing an impact. Similarly, the service is putting a great focus on youth crimes and bullying. Halton police also just recently joined Twitter and Facebook. Fletcher said the service plans to use social networking to communicate with the public, and to inves- tigate criminals. Halton Regional chair Gary Carr, who sat on the police board for years, agreed it is because the service is able to hire 15 to 20 new officers a year that police can respond to calls and do community outreach. He also pointed to Halton's high rate of solving crimes -- which hovers around 40 per cent -- as a way to measure safety and success. But police can't do it alone, Carr said, adding that a number of social programs also contribute to Halton's safety and high quality of living. Follow Oakville Beaver staff on Twitter @OakvilleBeaver or @NewsHooked @DavidLea6 @DominikKurek @Beaversports or @Halton_Photog Fall 2012 Fine cabinetry for anywhere in your home Family Owned & Operated Since 1976 S · Bath and Kitchen Showroom · Designer Kitchens · Kitchen Renovations 905-632-0029 with complete kitchens ordered before August 31st 2012. FREE HST ON CABINETS Part-time learning builds full-time success 4150 South Service Rd. uniquekitchensofburlington.com DO F OR RE CR E AS HE RS CLIP & SAVE! PUT ON YOUR FRIDGE! CLIP & SAVE The Oakville FALL FREE ADMISSION to the HOME SHOW all 3 days! No Coupon Required ING RK PA EE FR Choose from over 800 courses ­ either online or conveniently located in Mississauga, Oakville and Brampton. 11th Annual Proudly produced by Jenkins Show Productions Oakville Lifestyle Home Show, September 7, 8, 9 at the Glen Abbey Recreation Centre, 1415 Third Line just north of the Q.E.W. EACH DAY · hundreds of new products & services for your home 250 per day- one per family each day · terrific, one time Home Show specials · lots of prizes & free draws Limited exhibit space still available · a great family outing! · local, reliable companies call Jenkins Home Productions FREE 905-827-4632 Admission SHOW HOURS: Friday 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. All Weekend You Will See: FREE DOOR CRASHERS OBA27 ce.sheridancollege.ca