Pubdate: Fri, 21 Sep 2007
Source: Hamilton Mountain News (CN ON)
Copyright: 2007 Brabant Newspapers
Contact:  http://www.hamiltonmountainnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3415
Author: Richard Leitner

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."
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart