CRIME RATE ON THE RISE

WOODSTOCK - An increase in counterfeit money and vandalism has pushed
both the local and national crime rates up.

A report released by Statistics Canada yesterday showed the national
crime rate climbed six per cent in 2003 - the first substantial
increase in a decade.

A jump in counterfeiting across the country, as well as more property
crimes, mischief and disturbing the peace offences, were blamed for
driving up last year's numbers.

The Oxford County crime scene is much the same.

"We have definitely seen a rise in counterfeit money," said Oxford
Community Police Insp. Geoff Lee. "It has to do with improved
technology in photocopying and digital imaging. The technology to
produce counterfeit money is better."

Oxford OPP have also seen an increase over the past year in
counterfeit money passing through business owners' hands.

"We are seeing a lot more $10 and $20 bills popping up," said Const.
Dennis Harwood.

The rising number of counterfeit bills is difficult for police to
combat, said Lee, because the culprits are often not from the county
and are just travelling through.

"They will produce the money in a basement in Toronto and then drive
to Woodstock and spend the money here," said Lee. "Then they drive
back to Toronto, which makes them difficult to catch."

Lee said an increasing amount of police time is also devoted to
senseless vandalism.

Woodstock has been hit with several incidents of vandalism over the
past week, from the spray painting of homes to vandals setting a
school on fire.

"Mischief has always taken up officers' time and the clearance rate is
close to zero," said Lee.

"Unless you catch someone with a rock in their hand, you rarely catch
anyone."

Harwood said the Oxford OPP have also seen an increase in vandalism
but he attributes it to more people calling police.

"People reporting vandalism more is a big factor. For the victim, it's
a stressful and traumatic event especially if their property is being
destroyed over and over again."

At the national level, 2003 marked the first substantial increase in
property damage over the past decade.

While counterfeit money and vandalism has contributed to an increase
in overall crime, violent crime has remained stable in 2003 according
to Statistics Canada.

In fact, Canada's homicide rate fell by seven per cent last year to
its lowest level since 1967.

Criminologist Rosemary Gartner said repeated media reports of
high-profile tragedies such as the abduction of Cecilia Zhang give the
false impression violent crime is rampant.

"You get the sense the world is a dangerous and unpredictable place,"
said Gartner. "It's the rarest and most unusual forms of crime that
tend to drive people's fears the most."

Oxford County experienced one homicide last year with the death of 2
1/2-year-old Rebbecca Haney, who was found by police in her Embro home
on Christmas Eve.

The national rate of drug crimes dropped by eight per cent, which is
the first drop since 1993.

Statistics Canada reported the drop is due to a decline in in the
reports of marijuana possession.

Drug crimes in Oxford seem to be climbing, say police.

Oxford Community Police recently wrapped up Project Spring Cleanup,
which targeted drug traffickers in Woodstock, Norwich and
Blandford-Blenheim townships and resulted in approximately $2.25
million in pot and crack being seized.

"There hasn't been a drop and the ones we are finding are big
industry," said Lee.

with files from CP