CRIME RATES CALLED 'GOOD NEWS STORY' DESPITE GROWING VIOLENCE

Homicides, Attempted Murders, Robberies And Sex Assaults Jump In
First Six Months

Most categories of violent crime jumped in the first half of 2007,
as the city saw more murders, attempted murders, robberies and
sexual assaults than for the same period last year.

Even so, Hamilton police are anything but downbeat about the trends,
citing drops in assaults, break-ins, stolen vehicles and thefts
valued over $5,000.

"As you can see from the report, it's somewhat of a good news
story," Deputy Chief Ken Leendertse told members of the police
services board in a presentation on Monday.

"Although homicides are up 67 per cent, it's really a change from
three in 2006 to five in 2007. But generally, we're still at sort of
the 10-year trend or five-year trend of 10 homicides per year."

The murders included the high-profile deaths of Paul Haggerty, 19,
and Lucas Deane, 18, who were allegedly stabbed in February by
then-fugitive Corey Rogers one week after he'd twice called 911
offering to turn himself in for another violent crime. He was told
to walk to Central station but never showed up.

A subsequent investigation by Niagara police found the 911
call-takers were following flawed procedures, prompting 16
corrective changes, including rules calling for a police car to be
dispatched when someone offers to surrender.

There were also three attempted murders in the first six months, up
from one the previous year.

Deputy Chief Leendertse meanwhile attributed a 20 per cent increase
in robberies, most of them "street-type muggings," to crack-cocaine
addicts seeking a quick way to get cash.

Perpetrators are also using weapons more often -- typically guns,
knives and bottles -- with such crimes jumping by 30 per cent, he said.

"Most most of the robberies are for very small personal items,
including cash and MP3 players, things that can be quickly sold and
supply their habits," he said.

"We have focused in this area in all three divisions with increased
work on foot patrols and by front-line officers, and we are making
progress in here with the arrest of offenders."

Deputy Chief Leendertse said although the 227 sexual assaults were
up by 20 per cent, those committed by strangers are down nine per cent.

This suggests more victims are reporting "relationship" assaults,
including date rapes and attacks by employers or partners, he said.

"That is good news because people are in fact reporting," he said.
"We know that sexual assault is traditionally an unreported crime."

Among violent crimes, only assaults and abductions dropped. The
1,529 assaults marked a 14 per cent decrease, while the one
abduction was down from seven the year before.

For property crimes, only frauds rose, by five percent. Break-ins
dropped by 21 per cent, stolen vehicles and thefts valued under
$5,000 by eight per cent each, and thefts over $5,000 by one-quarter.

The first six months were also good for drug busts, with police
seizing $13.5 million worth, compared to $9 million for all of last year.

The bulk of this year's haul -- $11.5 million -- came in March, when
police raided 48 vacant apartment units at buildings on Grandville
Avenue and Violet Drive in the east end.

"We are having an impact on drugs and we are going to continue the
good work that our members are doing in the area of crack cocaine
and crack houses," Deputy Chief Leendertse said.

Board chair Bernie Morelli praised police efforts and said it's
important to communicate crime-fighting successes to the public.

"We need to make sure that they're well aware that we're continued
on our pace to attack these issues from every possible angle," he said.

"It's always difficult when somebody has their house broken into and
you try to explain to them that they're going down."

Councillor Terry Whitehead said he'd like to see data on "nuisance
complaints," but agrees crime statistics are improving.

"I think we're doing a damn good job in front (line) services," he
said. "We can always do better, but the trend is moving in the right
direction."