In their annual report to Council, Inspector Dan Smith of the Peterborough Police Services outlined the highlights of the activities and calls for service experienced by the local police for in Cavan Monaghan. The township is currently served by four officers who are permanently assigned to the area, who along with other frontline officers as well as Traffic, Canine and Community Services provide a minimum of 36 hours of total dedicated service each day. One officer works the day shift, while two officers remain duty for the 4pm to 4 am shift for safety reasons. Officers are generally well received by the public and feedback remains very positive regarding the services they provide.
The primary issue raised by residents to the police service continues to stem from traffic. Among the details set up to monitor speed complaints last year were several along King Street West. Despite numerous complaints, the highest speed recorded during their reviews was 61 km/h, far less than the speeds described as potentially dangerous driving. Police realize that residents often perceive a higher speed than is actually occurring, and officers have spent time with many citizens to provide education and awareness on this common misperception. Good news in the area of traffic was noted during the three RIDE details conducted during December where not a single charge was laid. Traffic enforcement will continue to be a priority throughout 2018.
Foot patrol in town continues, and officers walked the streets for 345 hours in 2017. The vast majority of the foot patrol hours occur in Millbrook during day shift hours while the majority of afternoon and evening car patrols are focusing on highway safety and other crime prevention initiatives.
There is also a police presence in our local schools. One officer is assigned to Crestwood Secondary School and another to the two local elementary schools. Each school participated in a lockdown drill in October as mandated by Provincial guidelines, and in the last quarter of 2017, 13 age-appropriate presentations were delivered covering topics such as substance abuse and drug awareness, internet and social media presentations, Elmer the Safety Elephant and Swim to Survive. Officers also conducted Risk Threat Assessments and participated in suspension reintegration programs for students, assisting educators in creating a learning environment that is safe and accepting for all students and staff.
Of the 121 Motor Vehicle Collisions during 2017, 60 involved a single motor vehicle, many occurring as vehicle struck fixed objects or rolling over in ditches. None were fatal.
The volume of calls for service varied significantly across the different categories, with criminal code-related calls rising 11.4% while non-offense related calls falling by 10.4%, and overall call volume dropping 8.4% from 2016 levels.
Property-related crime increased, with seven motor vehicle thefts reported in 2017 compared to one in 2016. Break and enter events as well as thefts in general rose last year while domestic disturbances and mischief complaints fell. Inspector Smith cautioned about the interpretation of these statistics, explaining that 17 damaged mailboxes in a single evening represented 17 separate complaints but are clearly related. In rural communities, property-related crimes like these are more difficult to resolve because of the lack of witnesses.
The calm and soft-spoken Inspector concluded his presentation by introducing Inspector Neil Collins, who has assumed responsibility for police services in the township as Smith moves on to other duties. Collins was happy to offer some ideas to address nuisance parking, which has been a hot-button for Millbrook business operators for a few months. Council is currently establishing new regulations to provide tools to ensure parking is available to shoppers on the main shopping street in town. KG
