Halton Regional Police Service. Annual Report Halton: One of Canada s Safest Communities

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1 Halton Regional Police Service Annual Report 2005 Halton: One of Canada s Safest Communities Constable Leslie Fredo and student Nicholas Mercuri run past enthusiastic fans at Holy Rosary School in Burlington during the Torch Run for Special Olympics. Is Policing in Your Future? We are Now Hiring! Find out more about applying to Halton Regional Police on Page 7 inside this Annual Report. More information on what it takes to become a Police Officer is on our website, Just click on the Careers/Recruiting button. You ll find all sorts of information, including how the Police Constable Selection process works, and how to apply to become a member of Halton Regional Police. Detective Ray Bruce rode his bicycle across Halton for three days to raise awareness and funds for Crime Stoppers of Halton. Progress Through Participation Halton Regional Police Service

2 Halton Regional Police Service Annual Report 2005 Message from the Police Services Board Message from the Chief of Police Page 2 From left to right: Joan Lougheed, Ken Musgrave, Clark Somerville, Don Robinson, Richard Burgess, Robert Maich, Jeanne Hay, Chair Keith Bird. he Halton Regional Police Services Board is the civilian governing body T which includes members of Regional Council, and members of the community appointed by Regional Council and the Provincial Government. The mandate of the Board is to oversee the provision of adequate and effective policing for the citizens of Halton. In other words, the Board is the trustee for the community's safety and security. The Board is also responsible for ensuring compliance with the standards issued by the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services. The Halton Regional Police Services Board continues to be sensitive to the community and the service it is provided. To that end, by setting of goals for the Service, the Board encourages that an open dialogue with the community is maintained. This has been accomplished by the Service continuing to offer the Citizen Police Academy, participation in the Regional Chairman's Rural Forums, and support of the Community Consultation Committees and maintaining a close relationship with the diverse community. The year 2005 was another busy year for the Board and the Service. This Annual Report will provide you with more information on the progress of two major initiatives, being the construction of the new Burlington station and the implementation of leading edge technology. As the Region grows, the Board wrestles with balancing adequate policing to meet the mandate of the legislation while attempting to control the cost to our taxpayers. With the leadership of Chief Ean Algar, the Service continues to deliver excellent community policing initiatives, which are the cornerstone for ensuring our community remains a safe place to life and work. On behalf of the Board, I wish to thank the citizens of Halton and the members of the Police Service for their commitment to the community and policing in Halton. From left to right: Deputy Chief Mike Kingston, Chief Ean Algar, Deputy Chief Gary Crowell. he year 2005 was a successful year in many ways. Our calls for T service were essentially the same as 2004, while the crime rate in Halton has again decreased. Our low crime rate, one of the lowest in Ontario, is also testament to the commitment demonstrated by the residents of Halton Region to live in safe and healthy communities. We are very pleased at the number of residents who take an interest in their Police Service, by volunteering with us, attending a Community Policing Committee meeting, or attending our Citizen Police Academy. Not only are the actual numbers of crime down, but our clearance rate is one of the highest in the Province. As a result, we continue to have the proud distinction of having one of the safest communities in Canada. Being able to clear crime at such a high rate does not just happen. Every one of our officers is very committed to our community, and to the police profession. Our Service culture is built entirely around service. Furthermore, sophisticated equipment and advances in forensic sciences are improving our capability of apprehending people in a timely manner. In 2005 Halton Regional Police Service experienced a tremendous achievement. Drawing on some of the best technology companies in the world, our agency created a leading-edge information platform for police work in Halton. In 2006 we will move forward with the next stages of implementation. The end result will be improved functionality and greater efficiency. Construction of the new police station in Burlington is near completion. The location of the new Oakville police station has been announced; it will be located on Highway 5 just west of Trafalgar Road. Locations and Contact Information Please remember: Call 911 in emergencies. Halton Regional Police Headquarters 1151 Bronte Road, P.O. Box 2700 Oakville, ON L6J 5C7 Tel: (905) ; (905) Burlington Station See Page 6 for details on 440 Locust Street the new Police Station in L7S 1T7 Burlington. Tel: (905) Oakville Station Initial design work for a 1229 White Oaks Blvd. New station in Oakville is L6H 2N6 underway. Tel: (905) Staff are working with Halton Region, the Halton District School Board and the Halton Catholic District School Board on a Joint Accommodation Strategy on the grounds of the current Halton Regional Centre. I want to extend my personal thanks to each and every member of the Service, as well as our many volunteers and community partners. We are recognized as a premier Police Service and it is through our collective efforts that we have been able to maintain this proud distinction. Milton Station 490 Childs Drive ON L9T 5G2 Tel: (905) Halton Hills (Georgetown) 217 Guelph Street ON L7G 4A8 Tel: (905) Halton Hills (Acton) 38 Mill Street East ON L7J 1H1 Tel: (519) Ean Algar CHIEF OF POLICE

3 Progress Through Participation Page 3 Highlights: Oakville Traffic remains a top priority of the Oakville community. This year, two Officers were assigned daily to police areas where accidents frequently occur, or where traffic complaints are most numerous. Police issued approximately 8000 traffic tickets this year across all of Halton Region. The District held several truck safety blitzes with the cooperation of the Ontario Ministry of Transportation. In addition to enforcement, the District held a Traffic Safety and Education event in September, in partnership with the Town of Oakville. This event featured a child seat clinic, bicycle rodeo, intoxilyzer displays, static displays, radar demonstration, and displays by community partners such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital. McDonald s Restaurants of Oakville kindly provided a barbecue lunch and publicity for the event. Crime spree stopped: During the summer, a series of house break and enters occurred in the College Park area. The victims lost personal property, credit cards, and in two of the 17 instances their vehicles were stolen as well. Investigators from different teams within the Oakville Criminal Investigation Bureau (Frauds, Break & Enter, and Street Crime) pooled resources, talent, and investigative expertise and coordinated their efforts. Tracing stolen credit card use led to security camera images of one of the culprits. Follow-up work and assistance from uniform officers with street intelligence identified the other culprit. As the case progressed, information surfaced implicating these offenders in several thefts from parked motor vehicles in the area as well. A search warrant was executed on a local apartment and a large quantity of stolen property was recovered and returned to victims. Two young men were arrested and charged with 11 break and enters, and a considerable number of other offences relating to the crime wave. Graffiti vandalism: The Bronte area experienced several incidents of graffiti vandalism in the spring. The Street Crime Unit partnered with the Bronte Village Constable and identified several suspects, specifically two males responsible for the majority of graffiti tags in Bronte. This information was disseminated to uniform personnel who assisted in intelligence gathering. As a result of Police interaction with the community, and the teamwork between the Village Constable, Street Crime Unit and uniform personnel, the two suspects were identified and arrested. The Halton Regional Police No Stars hope for better luck against Acton High School in 2006! Cst. Mike Foster shows the intoxilyzer. Highlights: Milton and Halton Hills Armed robber tracked to Halifax and returned (in custody) to Halton: Between January and March 2005, several violent armed robberies occurred in Milton and Oakville. In each case, an unidentified male entered a store armed with a shotgun and bear spray. The suspect threatened staff and patrons and sometimes used the bear spray on them. As a result of an extensive investigation coordinated by the District Criminal Investigations Bureau, the suspect was identified, and promptly fled to Halifax via Montreal. The suspect was tracked down, and with the assistance of Halifax Police, taken into custody. This individual was charged with a total of 54 criminal offences in Halton, including armed robberies and weapons offences. This investigation also resulted in the solving of a number of similar robberies in other jurisdictions. Officers on bicycles have the unique ability to manoeuvre quickly through crowds and check areas inaccessible to other police vehicles. Missing children at Canada Day event quickly located and speedily returned to parents by Bicycle Officers: The District Bicycle Team works in partnership with the community to address their concerns. Bicycle Officers were assisting with traffic and crowd control during the Glenn Williams Canada Day Parade when two children were reported missing in separate incidents. The Bicycle Officers quickly found both missing children and reunited them with their very grateful parents. He shoots, they score... The students of Acton High School took on the Halton Regional Police "No Stars" in a friendly hockey game in December. The cost of admission, to either play in or watch the game, was a contribution to the local food bank or a donation to the United Way. The game was fast paced and very entertaining. Aside from being a lot of fun, this type of interaction with the community allows Police to continue to build lasting, positive relationships with local youth, many of whom were present to watch the game. Acton High School took the game 6-5, but the "No Stars" are hoping for a rematch in Highlights: Burlington Kids Watch: Over the summer the Burlington District, in collaboration with Burlington Neighbourhood Watch and the Burlington Fire Department, delivered a newly created outreach initiative to teach children crime prevention and personal safety. Topics in the 4-hour program included graffiti, bullying, shoplifting, and personal safety when riding a bike or being approached by a stranger. A total of 273 youngsters graduated from the program. Feedback from the children and their parents was so positive that the program will continue in the summer of Internet Arrest: In November the District was notified by parents that their 15-year-old daughter had been conversing with an unknown 43-year-old male over the internet. This conversation led the parents to believe that the male party was coming to Burlington to meet their daughter and take her to an unknown location. Investigators from the Criminal Investigation Bureau interviewed the teenage girl and set up surveillance at the identified meeting place. A short time later the suspect attended and was arrested and charged with attempted abduction and luring via the internet. Bait Car Project: From January to September, 96 autos, with a combined value of $1,797,000, were stolen. To address this problem, the District initiated a bait car project. A vehicle, obtained through partnership with the auto insurance industry, was left in designated high risk areas. Just after midnight on November 4, individuals known to Police attempted to A Burlington GO Station parking lot steal the bait car by entering the vehicle and attacking the steering column. Five people were arrested and charged with a number of criminal offences. As a result of these arrests, the theft and attempted theft of vehicles decreased significantly. The thefts or attempted theft of 100 vehicles were resolved, and attributed to these same individuals. Break and enter spree solved: In the fall, Police received reports of numerous break and enters throughout Burlington. The crimes occurred primarily in private residences, although there was also a marked increase in commercial entries. Traditional methods of investigation did little to curb the increase. In November, police investigators received information that a fingerprint lifted from one of the crime scenes was identified to a known criminal. Investigators from the District s Criminal Investigations Bureau, Property Crimes Unit, began the search for the suspect. On November 16 the suspect was located and arrested for break and enter. The ensuing investigation resulted in the accused being charged with 16 criminal charges and admitting to committing a further 40 break and enters.

4 Halton Regional Police Service Annual Report 2005 Violent Crime Halton Annual Crime Totals Annual Crime Rates (per 100,000 population) Page 4 Category Rate 2005 Rate Homicide % Attempted Murder % Sexual Assault % Non-Sexual Assault 1,678 1,635 1,652 1,546 1, % Other Sexual Offences % Abduction Robbery % Violent Crime 1,965 1,987 1,959 1,844 1, % Property Crime Category Break and Enter 1,792 1,662 1,837 1,693 1, % Auto Theft 1, % Theft Over $5, % Theft Under $5,000 4,856 4,811 5,484 4,942 4, % Have Stolen Goods % Fraud 787 1, % Property Crime 8,829 8,915 9,618 8,445 8, % Other Crime Category Prostitution % Gaming and Betting Offensive Weapons % Other Criminal Code Offences 5,159 5,239 6,317 6,294 5, % Other Crime 5,324 5,411 6,481 6,457 5, % % % % % % % % 2004 Rate 2005 Rate 2004 Rate 2005 Rate % % % 1,190 1, % % % 2,033 1, % % % 1,516 1, % 1,555 1, % Total Crime ,118 16,313 18,058 16,746 15, % 2004 Rate 2005 Rate 4,032 3, % Other Performance Indicators Year-end estimates were used at time of publication. Category Rate 2005 Rate Impaired % 12-Hour Suspension % Property Damage Collisions 5,386 5,422 5,578 5,432 5, % Injury Collisions 999 1,164 1,224 1,343 1, Hit and Run Collisions 1,420 1,356 1,276 1,053 1, % Fatal Collisions % Total Calls for Service 91,607 94,896 96,957 97,617 97, % % % 1,308 1, % % % % 23,505 22, % Crime Clearance Rate 34.9% 40.4% 37.7% 39.6% 39.3% -0.3% -

5 Progress Through Participation Page 5 Financials The Service at a glance over 3 years It s never to early to think about a career in policing! Cst. Jasvir Sanghera gives young Skylar a guided tour of a Police cruiser. Population Served 402, , ,500 Uniform Strength Civilian Strength Total Staff Uniform Strength: Population 1:811 1:794 1:805 Annual Budget $61,722,900 $69,800,000 $76,502,990 Cost per Capita $ $ $ Service Statistics HALTON REGIONAL POLICE SERVICE 2005 Operating Budget - Major Object Group Response Times (min.) Priority Calls ASAP Calls Compensation & Benefits 87.4% Materials & Supplies 3.7% Charges from Region of Halton 1.8% Service Calls Assistance to Victims Financial Plan 2.0% Minor Capital 3.0% Hours of Service Instances of Contact with Victims Purchased Services net of Revenues 2.0% Crisis Calls Crime Stoppers Tips 582 Arrests or Charges Laid 28 Cases Cleared due to Tips 217 Rewards Approved 40 Dollars Approved $3,900 Property Recovered $39,795 Narcotics Seized $698,400 Total Value $738,195 Professional Standards Total Officers 531 Letters of Appreciation 267 Operations 64.9% HALTON REGIONAL POLICE SERVICE 2005 Operating Budget - Program Costs Support 11.0% Financial Plan 2.0% Police Services Board 0.3% Adminstration 14.1% Chief's Staff 3.1% Fleet Operations 4.6% Total Public Complaints (received from the general public) Chief s Complaints (internal investigations) 61 23

6 Halton Regional Police Service Annual Report 2005 Halton Police Receive Queen s and Service Colours from Lieutenant Governor In January 2005 the Honourable James K. Bartleman, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, presented Halton Police with the Queen s Colour and Service Colour. Similar in appearance to a flag, the Colours are ceremonial and will be used by the Honour Guard when they represent the Service at public events. A Queen s Colour historically represents loyalty to the reigning sovereign. A Service Colour identifies the Police Service. Page 6 Cultural Competency Essential to Policing Cultural competency is how business is done in the private and public sectors. It is no different in policing. Halton Regional Police is a leader amongst Ontario police agencies in taking a proactive approach to meeting the needs of a rapidly changing population. Our view is that it is absolutely necessary to be culturally proactive and inclusive of all diverse groups in Halton in everything we do, from recruitment to training to building relationships with community groups. To us, diversity is not just limited to race and religion, but includes gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, socio economic status, as well as personal perceptions, likes and dislikes. At Halton Regional Police Service, we re ready and able to serve a changing population. To begin with, each Officer receives diversity training, and we have diversity teams in all three districts. Chief Algar and Lieutenant Governor Bartleman inspect the Colour Guard at the Queen s Colour ceremony in January. Construction Nearly Complete on New Burlington Station FOLKWAY DR HEADON HEADON RD TH PTON NOR HAM BL DUNDAS ST (REG. RD. 5) FO HALTON REGIONAL POLICE STATION DISTRICT NO. 3 CLE VD AVER AVE REST DR WALKERS SOUTH HAMPTON BLVD LINE MILL DA RIEN RD ICK DR BERW CROFT PARK DRIVE The new station, located at 3700 Southampton Blvd (Walker s Line and Southhampton Blvd.), replaces the current station located at 440 Locust St. This new facility is going to be a valuable addition to the community and will help meet the longterm needs of the Halton Regional Police Service, said Keith Bird, Chairman of the Halton Regional Police Services Board. The 2-story building encompasses 38,500 sq. ft. The main entrance is off Southampton Blvd. Superintendent Dan Okuloski (in white shirt), former Police Services Board Chairman Don Robinson (front, in black suit) and Halton Regional Police Officers visit Rabbi Paul Sidlofsky at Shaarei-Beth El Synagogue in Oakville. Our members are excited about the new building, says Police Chief Ean Algar. We ve incorporated many of their suggestions. There are 133 authorized staff in the Burlington location, 10 civilian members and 123 sworn Officers. Halton Regional Police Help Ensure Happy Holidays for Children in the Region Detective Sergeant Al Frost and Staff Sergeant Kim Duncan help distribute gifts donated by the community through Toys for Tots. This very successful holiday season program is run by Halton Regional Police in conjunction with the Salvation Army and Canadian Tire. In September, Constables Julie Craddock and Pam DeForest (front and centre of photo) visited the Halton Mosque Open House to talk to young people about a career in policing. Honour for Halton Deputy Chief Gary Crowell Gary Crowell, Halton Regional Police Deputy Chief of police operations, receives the Order of Merit of the Police Forces at Rideau Hall in Ottawa. The medal is bestowed by Governor-General Adrienne Clarkson. Deputy Crowell has 35 years of policing experience. He began his career with the RCMP in Nova Scotia, then spent 28 years with the Peel Regional Police. He has been Deputy Chief in Halton for the last six years. The Order of Merit of the Police Forces was created in 2000 to recognize exceptional service by members of Canadian police departments.

7 Progress Through Participation Page 7 Integrated Technology Plan Redefines Policing in Halton Halton Regional Police Service has drawn on some of the best technology companies in the world to create a leading-edge information platform for police work in Halton. The new systems, now implemented and in use across the Service, combine innovative, forward focused and integrated technology to help the Service work more effectively, thereby enhancing public safety. We ve replaced a 20-year-old system with leading edge technology that puts our Service in the forefront of Canadian police agencies, said Police Chief Ean Algar. Halton Region, which is one of the safest communities with a population base over 100,000, is now even safer. Some of the immediate benefits to the community include improved response times to calls for service, and better officer safety. The new GPS system in each cruiser allows dispatchers to know where each car is, and which car is closest to a call. In addition, Officers no longer have to refer to paper maps to find a location, but can simply look at their screen, on which directions to any location in Halton are clearly mapped out. The GPS system allows for more rapid and precise deployment of resources. For example, in the event of a road closure due to a serious motor vehicle collision, Halton Regional Police will not only be able to rapidly send officers to the exact location of the incident, but also use the mapping to assist with the implementation of our Road Closure Action Plan. The new systems have opened up a brand new world of possibilities for Halton Regional Police, including the ability to link to the systems used by the OPP and the RCMP, thereby creating not only a provincial, but a national system of sharing information between police agencies. Terri Cordiner is a 17-year veteran of Halton Regional Police and one of four Supervisors in the Communications department. Civilians at Halton Regional Police Behind the public face of Halton Regional Police Service, providing round-the-clock support to our uniform Officers, are our civilian communicators. These are the women and men who receive, evaluate and process routine calls for service as well as 911 emergency calls. The Communications Bureau at Police Headquarters is the primary answering agency for all 911 calls in the Region. In addition, communicators take all non-emergency calls that come into the Police. All calls for Police are then assigned to the dispatcher for the municipality from which the call originated. Police communicators alternate between taking calls and dispatching calls to uniformed officers out on patrol. The Bureau is managed by a team of four supervisors who report to a uniformed Staff Sergeant. Police communications isn t an easy job. People don t call the Police to say that they are having a nice day. Some callers are in distress and need immediate help. Other callers are reporting anything from a robbery to a noise complaint. Whatever life has to offer, our communicators are the first to hear about it. Like our men and women in uniform, our communicators work under pressure, quickly and effectively making critical decisions, applying complex information to a wide variety of circumstances. In November, Communicator Steve Van Dyk took the media through a live demonstration of the Agency s new technology at a media conference held at Police Headquarters. Consider a Career with Halton Regional Police Have you ever thought about becoming a Police Officer? Police Officers maintain and improve the safety and quality of life within communities and their work includes constant variety and challenge. In addition to patrol duties, officers have an opportunity to expand their skills and knowledge in roles such as Intoxilizer Technicians and Scenes of Crime, School Liaison or Bicycle Officers. Police work will be very fulfilling for individuals who have a strong commitment to community and want to help in keeping Halton Region one of the best communities to live in. It will also appeal to people who wish to ensure that their Police service reflects the demographic diversity of Halton Region. We are interested in hearing from residents of Halton who may wish to become Police Officers. For more information on the selection process, visit the careers/recruiting section on our website, or call our pre-recorded line at Ext Also, keep an eye on your local newspapers for announcements of recruiting information sessions. Officers and Children: Time for Fun, Friendship and Some Learning Too! Education Officer Nick Leoni and Eric Randhawa pose with a big catch. For the past four summers, Halton Regional Police, along with Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Halton, has hosted a week-long Kamp at Halton Regional Police headquarters for children between 9 and 13 years of age. The camp provides the participants with positive interactions with Police in a relaxed setting. The program has been inspiring not only to the youngsters, but to the participating Officers, said Cst. Leoni.

8 Saturday May 13, 2006 is POLICE DAY Don t miss it! Police Headquarters, Oakville 1151 Bronte Road (north of the QEW) Halton Police and Community Agencies Team Up to Help Victims of Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence In November, Halton Regional Police Service was one of 24 signatories of a comprehensive response protocol for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. This protocol ensures that police and community agencies work collaboratively to provide a knowledgeable and compassionate response to victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. According to the Ontario Women s Directorate, more than one-third of Canadian women report having had at least one experience of sexual assault since the age of 16. Children and young people under the age of 17 accounted for 61% of sexual assault cases reported to the police. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free parking! Free give-aways! Charity BBQ! Lots to see and do: Exhibits Children s Safety Village Face painting Pre-school craft area Fun for the whole family! Detective Diane Hendry, Detective Sergeant Carol Crowe and Detective Alison Freeman at the signing ceremony. Community Policing Committees Active Across Halton Halton Regional Police Service has an established community consultation system which is open to everyone. We have Community Policing Committees (CPCs), some of which are called by their original names of Community Consultation Committees (CCCs), throughout the Region. Call your local Police Station to find the CPC nearest you. Attention: Elvis is in the building Elvis Stojko, former World Champion Figure Skater, joined Halton Regional Police at a Celebrity Car Wash at Moffatt Autoworks in Milton. Cst. Paul Glenn, who is a figure skating coach when he s not on the beat, is pictured here with Elvis. Thanks to Cst. Owen Gray of 12 Division in Milton for arranging Police participation in the fundraiser and for taking this photo. The Nassagaweya (Milton) CCC on September 19: In front is Halton Regional Police Staff Sergeant Sue Delaney and Jean Wood. Next row, left to right: Bert Walton and CCC Chair Stu Johnston. Top row, left to right: Jim Harding, Harry Yates, Milton Town Councillor Jan Mowbray and Tim Kingsbury. Halton Police Help Dog Guides In May, Halton Regional Police teamed up with the OPP, RCMP, Halton Regional EMS, Oakville Fire Department, Dog Guides Canada and McDonald's Restaurants to raise $10,000 towards Dog Guides Canada s training program to help provide children with a Special Skills Dog Guide, free of charge. Halton Regional Police Inspector Jackie Gordon, OPP Inspector Robin McElary-Downer, Toronto Argonaut Adrion Smith and RCMP Constable Judy Laurence. Did you like this Annual Report? Let us know. This annual report was created by the Corporate Communications Department at Halton Regional Police Service. This is the second year that we ve published this document in your local newspaper. For us, it s a cost-effective way to let you know more about us while you giving you some essential facts and figures about the events of this past year. Now, we d like to hear from you. If you have any comments or suggestions for other types of communication that you d like to see from Halton Regional Police, let us know! You can call Corporate Communications at (905) , Ext Or, you can always send a letter to Corporate Communications at the Headquarters address on page 2. Your feedback is appreciated. Thank you.