The Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS) yesterday released incoming call stats for the month of March, which clearly show the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We have received over 210 complaints from citizens related to violations of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. Most of these calls had been about non-essential business openings, but the warmer weather has sparked an increase in social-gathering complaints,” said the DRPS.
Reports of sexual assaults have fallen by a whopping 82 per cent in the second fortnight of March (compared to the first fortnight) as people in Durham cities and towns hunker down to avoid contact.
There has also been a decrease in assault calls (down 14 per cent) year-to-date. However, sexual assaults have increased 22 per cent year-to-date.
With people staying at home, domestic calls have increased by 14 per cent year-to-date. But, there was only a 2 per cent increase in March.
There has been sharp fall [-61 per cent] in the number of traffic collisions in the second fortnight of March as there are lesser people outside on the roads what with social distancing and work-from-home implementation.
With shops and malls empty, reports of shoplifting too have fallen by 68 per cent.
Year-to-date stats
Year-to-date, overall crime in Durham Region is essentially unchanged (-1 per cent) from last year. There have been decreases in Violent Crime (-9 per cent), Other Criminal Code offences (-6 per cent) and Criminal Code Traffic offences (-22 per cent). However, reported Property Crimes are up (+8 per cent), said the DRPS.
Emergency calls for service are down 2.4 per cent year-to-date, but urgent calls are up 6.2 per cent and routine calls are up 23.4 per cent.
The 8 per cent increase in property crimes has been driven by increases in Theft Under $5,000 (up 10 per cent); Fraud & ID Theft (up 9 per cent) and Break & Enter Residential (up 35 per cent). However, Property Crimes have decreased since the beginning of March and continue to be below long-term averages. An exception to this was a spike in commercial break and enters in the past week.
In terms of roadway safety, there have been significant decreases in Injury Collisions (down 53 per cent) and Property Damage Collisions (down 302 per cent) due to the lack of volume on the roads. Average daily collisions in Durham Region have reduced from 25 a day to about 6.
Support available
The DRPS reminded citizens that there are support services available and ready to help during this difficult time. Visit the Region of Durham’s website for a comprehensive list of community services: https://www.durham.ca/en/regional-government/covid-19-community-resources.aspx
For information about supports for victims of crime, please visit https://victimservicesdurham.ca/ for Victim Services of Durham Region.
Youth who need support or assistance can use Kids Help Home by visiting https://kidshelpphone.ca or calling 1-800-668-6868.
In emergencies, please call 9-1-1. If you want to contact us about a non-emergency, please call 1-888-579-1520. You can report less serious crimes on our website www.drps.ca under Online Services.
Citizens can report a gathering of more than 5 people or a non-compliant business on www.drps.ca under Online Services – Community Concerns. As a secondary option, citizens can call the DRPS non-emergency line at 1-888-579-1520, ext. 5802 and leave a message. The DRPS will endeavor to respond to these calls in a timely manner, however, our focus continues to be on emergency calls for service.
Call the Stop the Spread Business Information Line at 1-888-444-3659 for clarification whether a situation falls under the non-compliance orders. Assistance is available Monday to Sunday, from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. For more information visit: ontario.ca/stopthespread
For the most up-to-date public information about COVID-19 in Durham Region, refer to www.durham.ca/NovelCoronavirus. Citizens can contact Durham Public Health via email at health@durham.ca, or by phone at 1-800-841-2729 or 905-668-2020.
Reports regarding price gouging must go directly to the Province of Ontario. File a complaint at 1-800-889-9768 between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, or file a report online at www.ontario.ca
DRPS officers continue to patrol communities to keep them safe and respond to emergencies as they arise. Like the rest of the community, DRPS is practicing social distancing and following personal protective protocols as required,it said.
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