Police Chief Updates Council on Status of Enforcement in Area

Crime is down in York, and policing is up.

That was one of the messages York Regional Police Chief Armand La
Barge and others had for King councillors when they appeared before
them earlier this year.

Although overall crime rates are down both in King and York as a
whole, they are up in certain categories.

In 4 District, which takes in Vaughan and the southern portion of
King, including Nobleton and King City, total criminal violations were
down (per capita) 11.5 per cent between 2004 and '05, with major drops
in crimes against property and drug violations. The number of crimes
against persons was up 1.8 per cent, weapons violations increased 5.6
per cent (which La Barge said was a concern) and traffic violations
were up 7.7 per cent. One reason for that, he said, is more motorists
are being caught because of increased enforcement.

In 1 District, which takes in the north part of King, as well as areas
to the east, he said the crime rate was down over all by 12.4 per
cent. But there was a big increase in drug violations, on the order of
30.3 per cent. The chief said that was partly due to initiatives and
zero-tolerance policies for possession of narcotics in schools.

Superintendent Gord Smyth said the main police issues in the King
community include traffic safety, and that also means the use of dirt
bikes. They are constantly being used on Hydro right-of-ways, he said.

Youth issues in the community include drinking, loitering and hanging
around parks, but Smyth said these have always been problems.

People in the community have also been calling for increases
visibility of police. "The presence of police deters crime," he observed.

Police services board member Barbara Munroe told councillors the
service is in the middle of its 2005 to 2007 business plan, as well as
its five-year staffing and restructuring plan. By the end of 2008, she
said there will be 13,063 officers.

"I'm pleased to say we're on target," she declared.

Munroe added the board and police are carrying out a number of
initiatives to make a difference in the community. There was a recent
guns and gangs workshop at which public input was sought. "We know
we're not the only ones with good ideas or solutions," she observed.

The board meetings this year have included public

presentations on a variety of topics, and the session in August will
delve into challenges faced by police in multi-cultural community. She
said the service is improving in terms of its cultural diversity. The
level was at about six per cent in 2001, and is now up to roughly 13
per cent.

La Barge commented the per capita cost of policing in York is $188
this year, and was $177 in 2005. He said that's "incredibly low,
compared with other services"(Toronto's figure was $282 last year).

And the force is growing. La Barge said the age of the average officer
is 38 years, and the average age for joining is now 27. Being a police
officer these days requires some post-secondary education.

In terms of crime rates in Southern Ontario, York was

third lowest behind Peel and Halton Region, and the chief said it was
almost a tie with Halton, with York having one more incident per
100,000 population.

Across the region, traffic safety is the top policing concern people
have, with Youth issues running a close second. La Barge said youth
matters sometimes take the lead at isolated moments, such as right
after the Boxing Day shooting in Toronto of Jane Creba. Other top
issues for people include police visibility, effective communication
and violent crime.

Traffic enforcement and education are the main community priorities
this year, as La Barge stressed the need to educate the driving
public. Other priorities include community policing, renewed emphasis
on crime prevention, responding to violent crime, youth programs and
drug eradication and education (La Barge called drugs the biggest
threat to community safety).

In terms of service priorities, he said enhanced efficiency and
effectiveness is important. That means making sure tax money is spent
wisely, and that police practices remain valid, rather than just the
way things have always been done. There's also a need for increased
training, as well as expanded technology, so front-line officers
aren't burdened with endless paperwork. The force is also trying to
recruit with vision, focusing on under-represented
communities.

When it comes to traffic safety strategies, La Barge said that will
include targeted enforcement, with more tickets being handed out where
there have been a lot of accidents or complaints. As well, there are
plans for education and awareness programs to encourage responsible
driving. York is also one of the few police services to operate a
yearround Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (RIDE) program. There is
also advanced technology in all police cars, as well as air support.
The chief said the air units are also useful in dealing with grow-ops.

Last year saw a big increase in traffic enforcement, with more than
112,000 tickets being issues. There were also almost 2,400 commercial
vehicles inspected across the region, with 969 charges laid and 792
pulled off the road. RIDE saw upwards of 73,000 vehicles stopped, 921
roadside tests administered, 215 12-hour licence suspensions handed
out and 65 motorists charged with impaired driving. As well, there
were 38 lives lost in 35 accidents. La Barge said aggressive driving
and speed have contributed to that, along with poor use of seatbelts.

In terms of community policing strategies, La Barge said the aim is to
have increased visibility, storefront locations (one has recently
opened at Vaughan Mills), volunteer support programs (seniors are
helping out in the storefront operations), extended school liaison
programs, district community liaison committees and more foot and bike
patrols.

There are also a number of programs and strategies for crime
prevention and combatting violent crime. The chief said violent crime
numbers are down, but there is a public perception that they are up.
He added York police were involved in the recent terrorist
investigations in Toronto.

In fact, he said the total number of per capita criminal violations in
York saw a "very, very dramatic decrease" from 2004 to 2005; on the
order of 13.3 per cent.

The activity in dealing with marijuana grow ops has declined from the
epidemic year of 2003, but police are still keeping up the effort. He
also reported there were 32 children rescued from these places, which
he said is a disturbing part of the issue. Grow houses are dangerous
places for kids to be. They live in "horrendous condition." he added
these operations are usually set up in houses in neighbourhoods or
subdivisions. He added they have been centered in the southern part of
York, but police pressure should see them pushed to the north.

Mayor Margaret Black complimented the police on the encouraging
statistics, also commenting there is clearly more of a police presence
in King.

Councillor Jack Rupke expressed appreciation for more traffic patrols
outside his house.

Councillor Linda Pabst said speeding is the police concern she hears
the most complaints about. She wondered if zero tolerance for
exceeding posted speed limits would help.

Inspector Les Young said they started a program last year with speed
warning signs, with speed traps set up just beyond them to catch
drivers who don't get the message. that worked very well, he said.

There were a couple of comments that a lot of the speeders live
locally. La Barge pointed out people don't drive from Barrie or
Mississauga to speed through King Township subdivisions.