CRIME RATE INCREASES IN KIRKLAND

Crime rates in Kirkland Lake for the first quarter of the year are up
when compared with the same period last year but at the same time the
local OPP continue to have one of the highest clearance rates in province.

Kirkland Lake OPP Staff Sgt. Don Goard said drug addicts and pill
addicts are responsible for a lot of the property crimes. He said in
some cases the addicts break into relatives homes to steal prescription drugs.

The number of incidents during the first quarter increased from 171
in 2007 to 238 in 2008.

Despite the increase in crime Sgt. Goard said the OPP are maintaining
a high level of solving crimes with the clearance rate for the
quarter being 74.8 percent, which is about 31 percent above the
provincial clearance rate.

He attributed the hard work and good investigative techniques used by
the local officers.

Sgt. Goard said he is not willing to say the increase in crime is a
trend and they are also using the media to remind people to lock
their cars because a lot of thefts under $5,000 are from vehicles.

As well he said there is communication between the shifts to inform
the incoming shifts of activity on the previous shift and because of
the drug activity the Kirkland Lake OPP are increasing their drug
enforcement from one officer to two officers.

During the first quarter the Kirkland Lake OPP answered 1,060 calls
for service in Kirkland Lake, 347 in January, 316 in February and 397 in March.

In the area of theft under $5,000 there were 56 incidents up from 37
in the same quarter of 2007. Of these 15 were cleared with no charges
laid, 15 cases resulted in charges and 26 remain under investigation.
The clearance rate for this crime is 53.5 percent.

Willful damage under $5,000 increased to 19 from 13 in the previous
year. Four were cleared with no charges, five resulted in charges
being laid and 10 remain under investigation. The clearance rate was
47 percent.

Break and enter also increased from 17 to 20 in the first quarter. Of
these one was cleared without laying a charge, two resulted in
charges and 17 remain under investigation.

In five cases there was no property taken, 13 were at residences and
two were at businesses.

Assaults also increased slightly from 19 in the first quarter of 2007
to 21 in 2008. Eight of these incidents were cleared without charges,
13 resulted in charges for a clearance rate of 100 percent. In the
area of drug charges during the first quarter there was a noticeable
increase. In 2007 during the first quarter there were 12 incidents
and 2008 for the same period there were 35. Of these 13 were cleared
with no charges being laid, 20 resulted in charges and two remain
under investigation. This equates to 94 percent clearance rate.

While at first glance the increase in drug investigation may appear
to be bad news. Sgt. Goard said the increase is due to proactive policing.