Mary Louise Kearns says Wellington County OPP officers enjoy working in the community of Erin, which has one of the lowest volumes of crime in the county.
Kearns, acting staff sergeant with the county detachment, told council on April 7 the crime rate in Erin remained relatively steady again in 2008.
Last year there were 2,087 total occurrences throughout Erin, with 1,598 in Erin village and 489 combined for all other urban and rural areas.
Since 2004 occurrences in Erin have ranged from 2,077 to 2,109.
“Our main goal is to ensure a good level of service for Erin,” Kearns said.
Assault calls were up by 80%, from 25 in 2007 to 45 last year, which Kearns said can be attributed to a number of factors. However, she said it is a good sign that domestic disturbances remained steady – up from 37 to 39.
Total crimes against property were up by about 9% last year, from 211 to 231, although Kearns said that seems to be the case across the county.
Included in that number are thefts from vehicles, which were up 36% in Erin, from 11 to 15. Kearns called such thefts “crimes of opportunity,” because most vehicles are left unlocked, despite the OPP’s aggressive “lock it or lose it” campaign.
Also included in property crimes are mischief calls, including vandalism, which are up 10% to 88. Kearns said police try to be proactive with these crimes, which are usually committed by youths, by deploying plain clothes officers.
Motor vehicle accidents in southern Wellington were down 12% last year, from 1,032 to 906, yet Erin accidents were up from 19 to 32.
But it wasn’t all bad News – there are corresponding decreases in several other areas.
Particularly impressive, Kearns noted, is that calls for liquor and drug related incidents are down 42% – from 50 to 29. Calls for threats and other crimes against persons were also down dramatically, from 52 to 28, or 46%.
Other call types down last year include fraud (17%), traffic complaints (9%) and 911 calls for no emergency (9%).
Kearns said about 120 officers are currently employed by the county OPP detachment, with an average of 14 to 16 on duty each shift. Last year the OPP conducted 86 hours of Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere spotcheck programs in Erin, and 218 foot patrol hours.
She added the detachment hopes to have a replacement for retired Inspector Steve Walsh by “late spring.”
Councillor Ken Chapman asked how having an OPP officer on duty at the Erin high school has worked out.
Kearns replied there has been good feedback about it and the officer enjoys the work and has developed a good rapport with adults and students alike at the school.
