CRIME DECREASING IN PENETANGUISHENE

POLICE LAID 43 ASSAULT CHARGES IN PENETANGUISHENE IN 2022

The Southern Georgian Bay OPP presented a 2022 year-end report to the Penetanguishene Police Services Board on March 3.

Here are some notable statistics:

1. Break and enters have decreased by more than 50 per cent each of the past two years. Police laid eight charges for breaking and entering in 2022, down from 17 in 2021 and 38 in 2020. There were 36 such charges laid in 2019.

2. Calls to 911 have decreased 85 per cent over the past four years. In 2022, the Southern Georgian Bay OPP received 51 calls to 911 in Penetanguishene, down from 74 in 2021, 90 in 2020 and 351 in 2019.

3. Assaults have declined, after a spike in 2020. Police laid 43 assault charges in 2022 and 44 in 2021, after handing out 94 such charges in 2020. There were 41 assault charges laid in 2019.

4. Charges laid for theft from motor vehicles also declined last year, dropping from 24 in 2021 to 14 in 2022. There were 31 such charges laid in 2020.

5. Violent property crime clearance rates have steadily declined. Police cleared 72 per cent of violent crime cases and 24.5 per cent of property crime cases in 2018, and 53.8 per cent and 11.8 per cent in 2022.