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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, September 23, 2016 | 8 Rising crime stats not a trend in Halton: Chief by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff Halton police reported a 5.4 per cent increase in crime so far this year with 255 more criminal offences taking place in 2016 than in 2015. The statistics, collected between January and June of both years, showed 4,961 criminal incidents in 2016 and 4,706 in 2015. These figures, released at a Halton police services board meeting yesterday (Sept. 22), represent an increased crime rate of three per cent when the Region's population growth is taken into account. Police said violent crime, in particular, increased 13.7 per cent from 973 incidents in 2015 to 1,106 in 2016. These totals represent a surge in the violent crime rate of 11.1 per cent when the population increase is taken into account. The number of property crimes in Halton went up from 3,125 incidents in 2015 to 3,170 incidents in 2016. With the population increase these figures actually represent a decrease in the property crime rate of 0.9 per cent. While there may be more crimes taking place this year police seem to be solving more of them. The report listed a higher 2016 case clearance rate of 50.9 per cent compared to 49.4 per cent in 2015. subsequent years." Tanner noted the number of robberies in Halton may be driving the violent crime numbers up. Robberies may be a factor He said while Halton has had a few recent armed robberies of banks and businesses, more often the incidents categorized as robberies in Halton involve one youth assaulting another youth and stealing a phone or some other property. "Those are terrible situations, but they are not armed robberies," said Tanner. Oakville Ward 5 Councillor and Halton police board member Jeff Knoll said there is a perception in north Oakville that break-ins to homes are on the increase. Such an increase is not reflected in the statistics provided by Halton police, which shows break-ins are the lowest they've been in five years. When Knoll asked how this mistaken perception was possible, Tanner said even though the numbers are low it only takes a few break-ins in a specific area to raise concerns. "If there is a break-and-enter on your street, it's getting close. It's not in some other part of town, it is on your street," said Tanner. "We did have three break-ins in that area of Oakville in one night where individuals probably gained access through unlocked garage doors... When that happens that is going to be the topic of conversation around the neighbourhood." Low crime rate doesn't mean no crime Tanner noted a low crime rate does not mean no crime at all. He pointed out that recently someone entered his car and stole sunglasses and some other items. "I would sure like to meet the criminal that would break into the police chief's car," said Knoll. "That's a Darwin Award winner right there." Police received fewer calls for service with 77,198 in 2016 compared to 78,346 in 2015. In the area of motor vehicle collisions the news was better with these accidents down 5.4 per cent from 4,469 incidents in 2015 to 4,226 incidents in 2016. Traffic accidents that caused property damage dropped from 3,928 incidents in 2015 to 3,712 incidents in 2016. Collisions that caused injuries also went down from 539 in 2015 to 507 in 2016. That said, fatal collisions rose from two in 2015 to seven in 2016. Impaired driving apprehensions dropped 10.9 per cent in 2016 from 230 to 205. The number of traffic tickets issued by officers also dropped in 2016 from 27,046 to 25,888. Halton Regional Police Chief Stephen Tanner It is important to point out that Halton's crime rate has been steadily decreasing since the early 1990s and in 2015 reached the lowest level ever experienced in Halton's history. When asked about the crime rate increases, particularly in the area of violent crime, Halton Regional Police Chief Stephen Tanner emphasized the numbers are still relatively low. "As you look at the various graphs these crimes have been trending down. Eventually there is going to be a slight increase," he said. "What we want to do is everything we can to guard against that increase creeping up in Smart Aging Seminar Learn about Smart Aging and how to put together a life plan. Discover the benefits of planning your final arrangements ahead of time. Tuesday, October 18th 6:00 pm Walton Memorial United Church 2489 Lakeshore Rd. W., Oakville, ON Free to the community · All welcome Please call for more details: (905) 637-5233 AyA Kitchens of oAKville 1195 north service roAd west 905.847.1522 ayaoakville.com Brought to you by: Dodsworth & Brown Funeral Home - Burlington Chapel Oakview Funeral Home Arbor Memorial Inc.