POLICE MAKE SOME INROADS

City Of Kawartha Lakes Police Service's 2004 Report Released

KAWARTHA LAKES - Police in Lindsay and the former Ops Township made
inroads in communications, community service, Highway Traffic Act
enforcement and the fight against illicit drugs in the calendar year
of 2004, according to acting chief Don Thomas.

The City of Kawartha Lakes Police Service's 2004 annual report was
approved for release at the police services board meeting Monday.

The report shows an 8.2 increase in total crimes for 2004 compared to
the previous year. That is down from the 15.06 per cent rise in total
crimes reported in 2003 over 2002.

Insp. Thomas spoke with The Daily Post Monday about the statistics and
what factors influence them.

Some 4,528 instances of crime were reported and investigated in 2004,
up from the 4,186 of 2003.

These numbers do not reflect convictions.

One of the largest statistical increases in 2004 from 2003 was in
assaults, to 648 from 464 . Thomas largely blamed it on the fact the
service polices the Central East Correctional Facility, which saw a
"large" increase in inmates during the year.

Some 83 instances of violence were reported at the super jail in
2004.

There was one attempted murder in 2004 and zero in 2003. It stemmed
from a parking-lot stabbing last July that, police said, was related
to the sale of drugs.

Another increase came in the number of break and enters, which jumped
to 317 from 267.

Thomas said break and enters come and go in rashes, as does motor
vehicle thefts - an area where he said the police service is often
"trading vehicles with Oshawa."

Automobile thefts increased to 81 in 2004 from 58 the previous
year.

Instances involving narcotics also jumped to 143 last year from 99 in
2003, but again Thomas said 34 instances stem from the super jail. The
service will place more emphasis on the battle against illegal drugs,
according to the acting chief.

"It's an area we will be concentrating on more and more," he
said.

"I think illicit drugs have an impact on all other stats," Thomas
added, explaining how other crimes often stem from the sale of or
perceived need to buy drugs.

The police service dealt with fewer sexual assaults last year. There
were 25 such instances compared to 35 in 2003. Sexual assault or
allegations of sexual assault often involves someone known to the
victim, often a child, Thomas said.

He noted school programs and the work of other organizations are
helping to teach people "how unacceptable it is."

"Kids know it's wrong and enough to tell people about it," he
said.

The police service saw thefts over $5,000 halved in 2004, to 49 from
100 in 2003. However, thefts under $5,000 rose six per cent, to 909
from 857.

Frauds increased to 217 from 187, which Thomas blamed much on an
ongoing bank and police investigation into a local gas bar situation
well publicized late last year.

Criminal Code driving offences - including impaired driving and
exceeding 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 mL of blood - dropped to
1,215 last year from 1,771 in 2003.

"I hope that reflects society's view that impaired driving is
unacceptable," Thomas said, praising the work of groups such as MADD
(Mothers Against Drunk Driving) and the media.

"I feel people are learning it is unacceptable and causing deaths," he
said.

According to Thomas, the service achieved major inroads in 2004 in
upgrading the communications system to make it "more efficient" and
"technologically advanced."

Three additional full-time employees were hired, mainly because of the
implementation of city-wide dispatch for Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue
Service. Previously, the police service only provided fire
communications for Lindsay and Ops, with private companies servicing
the rest of the municipality.

For the upgrade, mapping had to be updated and downloaded into the CAD
(Computer Aided Dispatch) system which uses geographic information
systems to exactly locate addresses and dispatch officers and
firefighters accordingly.

Thomas also praised the work of community services officer Const.
Tammy Brydon, who also co-ordinates Kawartha Haliburton Crime
Stoppers. She said she is "not only in the school system," but
partnering with many outside community organizations to put a friendly
face on the police service, Thomas said.

The 2004 report was the last public document and 17th prepared by
former police Chief Randy Martin, who passed away last month.

In the final sentence of his message, Martin wrote in a fitting
testament, "I personally have and always will remain committed to
municipal policing and the benefits it offers those within the community."

The 2003 report came out last September. Thomas suggested to board
members Monday that the report could be finished as early as March of
each year. Board members agreed the annual report should be released
to the public in a more timely manner.

Other statistics

2003 2004 Variance

Homicides 0 0 0%

Abductions 4 7 75%

Robberies 17 14 -17.6%

Possession of stolen property 124 145 16.9%

Offensive weapons 17 20 17.6%

Other Criminal Code offenses 1,771 1,215 -31.4%