Pubdate: Tue, 13 Feb 2007
Source: Journal-Pioneer, The (CN PI)
Section: Pg A1
Copyright: 2007 Journal-Pioneer
Contact:  http://www.journalpioneer.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2789
Author: Jim Brown

WHY US?

Statistics Show Summerside Has Increase In Break-Ins

Summerside and Charlottetown are heading in opposite directions, at 
least when it comes to frequency of residential break-ins.

Summerside police reported 99 residential break-ins in 2006, up from 
65 in 2005 and 44 in 2004, while Charlottetown registered 132 
break-ins in 2006, down from 145 in 2005, and 167 the previous year.

Summerside deputy police chief David Griffin said last year was the 
"worst ever" in terms of residential break-ins.

He can't account for why Summerside's total spiked, while 
Charlottetown's took a plunge, though he did confirm there are at 
least five groups of individuals breaking into homes.

"We've caught a few of them and laid some charges," he said.

Police are continuing to investigate and knock on doors for leads, 
said Griffin.

He went on to say what is really frustrating is that many residents 
who see "something suspicious" in their neighbourhood don't call 
until the next day, or even later.

That also applies to some residents who have noticed intruders in their homes.

Recently, someone broke into a home while its owners were inside and 
though the owners knew something was amiss because they heard a door 
slam at 3 a.m., police weren't called until hours later.

"They never called us till 10:30 a.m.," he said.

At first, nothing was believed to have been stolen, but it was later 
discovered some money had gone missing, said Griffin.

Charlottetown's deputy police chief Richard Collins says "there's no 
quick answer" for why Charlottetown's break-in figures are falling 
and Summerside's are rising. Summerside probably fared better in 
other areas, he surmises.

What he can say with confidence is that residential break-ins and 
other forms of property crimes, even armed robberies, will likely 
fall in 2007 thanks to the formation of a three-person street crime 
unit for Charlottetown.

The unit directs its focus at the street level drug trade, but its 
officers can also effectively monitor other criminal activity and 
then swoop in - something uniformed officers aren't equipped to do.

In a recent drug bust police seized $3,000 worth of drugs and $7,000 
worth of stolen property, said Collins.

"A lot of criminal activity related to break-and-enters is fueled by drugs."

Unit members can be used to target certain crimes such as armed 
robberies and home, business and car break-ins.

Make a dent in drug activity and that could have an impact on 
break-ins and other property crimes committed by addicts to get the 
money they need to pay for their drugs, said Collins.

"I can guarantee that the street crime unit will have an impact on 
street level activity. They've already been involved in four major 
drug operations since December," said Collins.
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