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7 · Thursday, February 25, 2010 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.oakvillebeaver.com Good news -- cops say Halton's crime rate dropping Halton Regional Police say there was a "significant" drop in crime in the region last year. Fewer criminal offences were committed in Halton last year compared to 2008, according to the Halton Regional Police Service's yearend crime statistics report, which was to be presented at today's (Thursday) police services board meeting. The report notes there were 1,225 fewer criminal offences in Halton in 2009 (14,043) compared to 2008 (15,268), an eight per cent drop. When Halton's population hike is taken into account, it increases to a 10.5 per cent decrease in the overall crime rate. "When a community that is already as safe as Halton shows this kind of decline in criminal offences, it speaks volumes about how effectively everyone, including the police, the public and our community partners, are working together for public safety," Halton Police Chief Gary Crowell said in a press release. Crowell said a number of factors outside of police control can influence crime rate, including demographics and socio-economics. Crime rate is the number of offences committed per 100,000 people. Statistics Canada and police use crime rate measurements to give the most accurate comparison of criminal activity between communities with different populations, and within a single community over time. Halton's population is approximately 490,000. "Because Halton's population is growing so rapidly, analyzing crime rate data gives us a true year-over-year comparison, which we use to identify emerging crime trends," said Crowell. For specific categories, violent crime offences went down to 2,362 in 2009 from 2,463 in 2008, representing a 6.7 per cent drop in the violent crime rate after factoring in population growth. Accounting for 16.8 per cent of all criminal offences committed in Halton in 2009, violent crimes are incidents that involve the application or threat of force to a person, such as homicide, attempted murder and various forms of sexual and non-sexual assault including domestic violence, robbery and abduction. Halton also saw a 12.2 per cent drop in the category of Other Crimes committed in 2009, which encompass Criminal Code offences that are not classified as violent or property crimes such as prostitution, offensive weapons, bail violations and disturbing the peace. Based on motor vehicle collision rates and community feedback, Crowell made traffic safety one of the service's key policing priorities when he became chief in 2006. By using a combined approach of enforcement, education and working with regional municipality road engineering departments, 2009 saw some tangible improvements in road safety in the region, he said. Most notably, the number of fatal collisions plummeted by 40 per cent, from 15 in 2008 to nine last year. Injury collisions dropped 8.5 per cent, and property damage collisions went down 12.5 per cent. However, the number of impaired drivers arrested on local roads increased by 3.6 per cent, from 390 to 404, and there were 448 temporary driving licence suspensions issued in 2009. "Fortunately, last year fewer people were injured or killed on Halton roads, but even one serious injury accident or fatality is too many," said Crowell. "Motorists can continue to do their part by buckling up, slowing down and keeping a careful eye out for pedestrians." Halton's property crime rate dropped by 10.8 per cent in 2009, with 10,502 offences committed. Crimes in this category include theft, breaking and entering, mischief, auto theft, arson, fraud and the possession of stolen goods, and accounted for nearly 75 per cent of all crimes committed in the region last year. Crowell attributed part of the property crime rate decrease to special enforcement initiatives targeting auto theft at the AMC Theatre complex on the south OakvilleMississauga border and theft from autos at GO Transit stations. As well, 2009 was the culmination of Project DISH, a joint forces operation that led to the dismantling of crime groups that had been responsible for dozens of residential and commercial break and enters in the GTA. House break-in netted car keys to a free ride Halton Regional Police are investigating a break-in at a Pelee Boulevard home that resulted in the theft of a car on Feb. 13. Shortly after 2 a.m., police attempted to stop a grey four-door 2007 Toyota Corolla on Grand Ravine Boulevard. When the car stopped, it mounted the sidewalk and three occupants fled from the vehicle on foot. Further investigation revealed incident. If you have any information that leads to an arrest in this or any other matter, you may be eligible for a cash reward. You will never have to give your name or testify in court. Crime Stoppers of Halton does not subscribe to call display. Call 1-800-222-TIPS (1-800-2228477) or visit www.haltoncrimestoppers.com. the car was stolen from a Pelee Boulevard home. Police believe entry was gained to obtain a set of keys to the vehicle. There was no sign of forced entry. The residents were not home at the time of the