HALTON CRIME RATE AT LOWEST LEVEL IN 30 YEARS, SAYS CHIEF

Halton's crime rate last year was at its lowest level in 30 years, and
Police Chief Ean Algar called that a "good news" story when he updated
Halton Hills council about the state of policing last week.

In Halton Hills the crime rate was down 13.3 per cent-- 228 less crimes
were committed (1,848) compared to the 2,076 committed the year before.

"We think that's exceptional," said Algar.

There was also a sizeable decrease in collisions with a region-wide drop of
3.1 per cent (259), and in Halton Hills a decrease of 5.7 per cent (48).
Fatal collisions were down regionally 45 per cent (a difference of nine).
Fatal collision stats remained the same in Halton Hills (2).

"In almost every category we're down," said the chief. "We're quite pleased
with those numbers, although we'd prefer to see no crime and no collisions."

In 2005 the good news continues with an 11.6 per cent drop in crime rate in
the first six months of the year -- although violent crimes are up 7.8 per
cent (152 in 2005 compared to 141 in January to June in 2004). Collisions
are also down 4.6 per cent.

While the population has increased, the number of calls region-wide is down
in 2005 -- in Halton Hills it has been projected the number of calls for
service throughout the year will be 400 less than last year.

That was the good news; now the bad news.

Grow-ops (marijuana grow operations) are proving to be time-consuming for
police operations.

"I'd like to say we're struggling to stay current," said Algar, "but we're
not, in fact, we're losing ground."

* From 2002 to June 2005 there were 500 grow files with 138 still
outstanding. (In Halton Hills there are 45 reported incidents with 26 still
outstanding-- awaiting follow-ups and executing of warrants).

* 86 control drug and substance search warranted were issued (seven in
Halton Hills)

* 17,533 plants were seized (1,631 in Halton Hills)

* 133 persons have been charged (13 in Halton Hills)

* $17.5 million worth of marijuana has been taken off the market.

Another concern for Halton Police is the "greying and greening" of the
police service, not only in this region but across Canada. There is a
crisis in the making, he said, with an expected exodus of retiring police
officers (about 80 per year in Halton since 2000) in the next three years.
Already HRPS has 230 officers (about 60 per cent) with less than five years
experience in the front-line service (patrol cars).

"That's unheard of," said Algar. "That's not just happening here but in
other provinces as well."

This taxes training and supervisory operations, which is further burdened
by new provincial legislation and court requirements, parental leaves, and
ongoing planning for the unknown such as terrorism or pandemic flu.

As a result, the Halton Police Services Board has approved the over-hiring
of 10 officers.

Policing priorities include targeting traffic safety and enforcement-- "the
number one complaint in Halton"-- and in 2004, close to 36,000 tickets were
issued.

Public opinion on the Halton Regional Police Service will be sought during
a Halton Region-conducted survey to be done this fall.

But the police chief is in no doubt about his opinion.

"I think policing in Ontario is among the finest in the world."