Lower Crime? Are we getting better?
Halifax Regional Municipality police chief Frank Beazley told me in studio that crime stats are lower in Halifax. Year end stats from the Halifax Regional Police show violent crime is down 10 per cent, property crime down 15 per cent, break-and-enters 14 per cent, car theft down 29 per cent, theft over 5k down 30 per cent, theft under 5k down 16 per cent. But do you feel safer?
The lower stats are due to mainly to better policing: targeting “hot zones” with a rapid reaction force.
We still seem to have a lot of gun use in crimes relative to our population and to the rest of the country. We still seem to have too many random acts of violence. We still seem to have more than our share. There are still high-profile unsolved crimes — murderers on the loose, in other words.
“We know who these people are,” declared Beazley with an open-faced, direct, look. His face crowned in white. “But it’s a question of evidence,” an interesting on-air admission.
I assume, by his actions, that the good Chief would like listeners to come forward if they know anything.
Chief Beazley also let us know how disappointed he is with driving infractions. There is a an overall increase of 30 per cent in driving infractions with 46,000 people charged for speeding, stop sign infractions, and inattentive driving with a 17 per cent increase in collisions.
The most startling stat comes with drinking and driving Charges are up 50 per cent!
In a related story, the NSLC reports record sales. On the day of December 22nd 2007 the NSLC sold more alcohol ($5.2-million) than any other day on record. NSLC reaps in money bottle-over-fist for the Province and themselves. December alone saw 5.6 per cent hike in net sales and a 2.5 per cent increase over volume.
NSLC thus recorded the highest level holiday sales in its 78-year history!
A great advertising campaign helped things along.
Remember to spend millions, promote alcohol consumption, and drink responsibly!
Meantime, according to Maclean’s magazine, Halifax is number 10 in the most violent cities list. Ahead of Halifax are Vancouver (10th spot) with many times over the population, and Edmonton (5) and Winnepeg (3). Regina (a hole if ever there was one) is number one — at least they are number one at something.
A question to ask yourself: why is Moncton and Saint John nowhere to be seen on such lists?
March 13th, 2008 at 9:30 am
Hi Andrew,
How about Portland Maine? It is closer to Halifax regarding culture and size than any other city in Canada and it has a murder rate of 1 per 10 years and is deemed one of the safest and most liveable cities in the US.
Answer - It is the criminal justice system in Canada!!! I immigrated here 7 years ago and I love it, but am blown away by the ‘roll over and play dead’ attitude towards crime and everything else. Thank god the forefathers of the US setting the tone!
Maine, NH and VT have a very very low crime rate comparably to the Maritimes. Again, it all boils down to the justice system, slaps on the wrist only go so far. And why would the Mayor of the city go to the Guardian Angles when he could simply hire more cops and place them 24/7 in the ‘war zones’? I never see foot patrols in the commons etc.
Peace!
March 13th, 2008 at 9:42 am
The reason Halifax has more crime than places like Moncton or Saint John is because it is a port city and is busier than the port of Saint John. It is a Navy town, large univesrsity population, more young people per capita and a livelier night life. Also, I know this is on a per captia bases, but Halifax is the big city of Atlantic Canada and crime is usually atracted to the the larger centres. So Halifax being the largest centre will atract people who are involved with crime from all over the region. There is also more money in Halifax per capita. Crime follows money, just like pan handlers do that is why you see more pan handlers in Halifax because they come from all over the region. If you’re a pan handler you’re not going to go the Charlottetown you’r goin got go where you think you can get the most money.
March 13th, 2008 at 9:53 am
I Don’t buy it. I would feel just as nervous walking in certain areas of Halifax and Dartmouth. I’m sure that my chances of getting mugged would be the same as in previous years, or at least previous to these newly released stats that ‘crime is lessening in the HRM’. I still see punks walking around, hanging around on street corners — so things feel the same to me despite the numbers reported by police chief Frank Beazley.
March 13th, 2008 at 5:54 pm
I don’t beleive the RCMP solve as many crimes. I have had stuff stolen from my business ‘RCMP were called, statement was taken, end of story. I think you should do a show on this, unless I’m alone ,this could be an interesting show.
March 13th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
AK. I drive truck in hrm , have for 20 yrs. It used to be I had to watch for mussle cars and motorcycles,racing around me ,racing me to the entrance to a ramp, racing up the right side as i merge onto the hwy.
now its all cars etc. every one from mom minivan to daddy 4 by 4,
and every combo inbetween. people don’t drive defencabley anymore .
Its like we all want to drive like the commercials ,sideways at 100k accross the salt flats. we believe that or car is built for drivers, thats why we bought it right??? not to mention the super grip multi weather 15″ chrome rimmed dyno tires I had put on!!!! why do cars go 160k ?
when the roads can”t handle 100k?
were #10 were#10 rah rah sis boom bahhhhhh!. as a matter of fact I know we’ll do better .when chief beazley decided not help the guardian angels get going and now leaving them on the street without direct contact with car or foot patrol.he has left them with no street cred right from the start ergo no respect. so how the angels got respect in the begining is how our hfx group will have to do it now. thks chief you really know how to hurt a guy! literaly!
hello 911, can i help you?
yes i’m a guardian angel and we need help!!
911: whats wrong?
angel: four big drunk guys are beating people up!
911: can you see there faces?
angel:yes the brown haired guy is hitting me as we speak!
911: does he have a weapon?
angel: yes its his fist
911:did any one intervene?
angel:my fellow angels
911: did that help?
angel :yes his friends all have someone to beat up
911: whats your location?
angel :the ground
911: we are sending help
angel don’t forget the ambulance!!!
were #1 were#1
March 17th, 2008 at 6:26 am
this morning had to call 911 for my mom , just wanted to say the people of the ems are unsung hero’s , maybe during your show today take a second to say thanks to them. they always take such good care of my mom like you andrew i think a lot of my mom, i don’t always agree with you on issues but your a good guy , and i like the way talk about your mom / gee i hope my mom is going to make it , thanks i hope you say a good word for the ems workers .