Violent crime down, but traffic accidents are on the rise continued from p.1 Some of the report highlights included stats that violent crime, such as assault, robbery and murder, dropped 5.6 per cent -- 2,095 incidents in 2012 to 1,977 in 2013. Property crime, such as break-ins, thefts and mischief, fell by 13.3 per cent -- from 8,969 occurrences in 2012 to 7,772 last year. In addition to fewer crimes being reported, more arrests were made for crimes committed last year. That's reflected, said Tanner, in a significant boost in the clearance rate, which was at 44 per cent in 2013, up from 37.8 per cent in 2012. The trend is continuing this year. "Carrying into 2014, the overall clearance rate for January was 55.6 per cent, up from 48.5 per cent in January 2013," said the chief. "We are looking at where our clearance rates tend to come from... Hypothetically, if we found that 60-70 per cent of our clearances were coming from investigative units, criminal investigative bureaus in the different districts, the major crime units and not from uniformed patrol, that may indicate we might want to put additional resources into those units if we want to have a further impact." Not all the news was good, however. Crimes such as bail violations, counterfeit currency and disturbing the peace rose by 4.2 per cent -- up to 1,055 from 1,012 in 2013 and 2012, respectively. Motor vehicle collisions were also up 7.3 per cent (from 8,000 in 2012 to 8,587 in 2013). Impaired driving was also slightly on the rise -- increasing by 1.2 per cent from 345 incidents in 2012 to 349 last year. Board member Andrew Tyrrell asked that with distracted driving a growing problem, relevant statistics be included as a separate category in the future. "It really is an epidemic," agreed Tanner. "I was on Lakeshore Road at Bronte the other night and of the 10 vehicles that passed me five (drivers) were on cellphones. It is one of the leading causes of accidents." 3 | Thursday, April 3, 2014 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Change to community mail boxes will affect 26,400 in Oakville continued from p.1 "Canada Post and Oakville's Federal MPs need to help Oakville residents with answers to their questions about the move from home mail delivery to community mailboxes," said Oakville Mayor Rob Burton. "Residents are encouraged to attend the April 7 council meeting and have their questions answered." The meeting will start with a presentation by Canada Post before opening up for questions from attendees. Canada Post has said there will be no change in delivery for people in apartment buildings, seniors' buildings and condominiums who have mail delivered to the lobby of their building. In 2006, there were five billion pieces of mail sent out. By 2012, it dropped to four billion and it continues to drop. stated letter mail is a dying business and Canada Post has to cut costs. "In 2006, there were five billion pieces of mail sent out. "By 2012, it dropped to four billion and it continues to drop," said Young in a previous interview. "The question is does it make sense to pay people to get up early in the morning and take mail out to people's homes when the volume is shrinking daily?" Young said if Canada Post continued operating the way it is, by 2020 it would be losing $1 billion per year. Council is asking Canada Post to observe the Town's land use planning rules to minimize conflicts and maximize safety for public road allowance users. Terence Young Oakville MP Customers who have mail delivered to a rural mailbox at the end of a driveway and businesses in well-established areas, such as main streets, will also see no change. Oakville MP Terence Young has previously City Parent, Food Basics, Metro, Listen Up Canada, Jenkins Agency, M&M Meats, Home Hardware, Active Green and Ross, Vitamin Store, Lastmans Bad Boy, Rabba, Bulk Barn, Toro, Bath Depot, Flying Flyer, Real Canadian Superstore, Community Calendar 2014, Lowes Canada, Subway-Queenston, Bluestone Project, 2001 Audio Video, Sleep Country, Hudson's Bay Co., Terra Greenhouses, Husquavarna, Red Plum, No Frills, Home Outfitters, Fortinos, TG Appliances, Nature's Source, Kohl & Firsch, Bass Pro Shops, Best Buy, Pharmasave Drugs, Pharmaplus, PartSource, Future Shop, Target, Michael's, Shoppers Drug Mart, Walmart, Sears, Pet Valu, Staples, Rexall, Desjardins, XS Cargo, Sobeys, Frescho, Home Depot, Centennial Windows, Toys R Us, Canadian Tire, Drug Trading, Goodyear, The Brick, Brick Mattress, Kitchen Stuff Plus, Le Creuset, Mrs. Green's, Linen Chest, Reliance, Home Depot inside today's Spotlight Sports Beaver www.insideHALTON.com 4 201 IS G RIN ON SP ECTI LL E! CO HER 6 31 Health Classified 30 35 *All flyers not necessarily delivered to all homes For home delivery & customer service call 905-631-6095, 5300 Harvester Rd., Burlington New subscriptions call 905-631-6095 or subscribe online at www.oakvillebeaver.com 289-644-2464