'DRUG CULTURE' CAUSES SPIKE IN HOME INVASIONS, MUGGINGS

Crack users and organized crime are being blamed for a jump in
robberies, home invasions and muggings in Hamilton.

That's the only disturbing trend in a year-end crime report released
by Hamilton police. The report, presented to the Hamilton Police
Services Board, indicates that, compared with 2005 statistics,
robberies are up 4 per cent (676 vs. 653), house break-ins are up 11
per cent (2,269 vs. 2,052) and theft over $5,000 rose by 15 per cent
(211 vs. 183).

But other than that, yesterday's report indicates violent crime
continues to decline as it has for the past few years. There were
fewer murders (seven vs. 10 in 2005), fewer attempted murders (four
vs. six), and only two more abductions (10 compared to eight). Sex
offences declined 2 per cent (416 vs. 423), but police board members
were cautioned not all sexual assaults are reported to police.

The report showed violent crimes such as murder, attempted murder,
abductions and assault had decreased by an average of 16 per cent
the past five years. During the same time, robberies have increased
by 14 per cent, thefts over $5,000 by 8 per cent and frauds by 15
per cent (mostly involving ATMs and skimming devices used by
organized crime groups).

The report, prepared by Police Chief Brian Mullan, noted "drugs and
crack cocaine continue to have an affect on our crime trends." It
said the rise in street muggings and home invasions "is caused by
the drug culture in our community."

Last year, officers laid nearly 500 cocaine-related charges and
seized more than $9 million worth of marijuana.

In a separate report, 2006 traffic statistics showed a 10 per cent
drop in auto collisions (9,327 vs. 10,434 in 2005), but three more
fatalities (26 vs. 23).

It attributed the increase to fatal accidents involving elderly
pedestrians crossing the street.