If you have been on local social media pages in recent months, you are no doubt aware of the spike in property crimes that has been experienced in the Municipality of Meaford, particularly since the summer weather arrived.
Among the most reported items stolen from residential properties in recent months have been bicycles, along with tools, sports equipment, and even shoes and Christmas lights. The rash of property crimes have left many on edge, and a demand for more policing in this community has been growing. While I understand and support the call for increased police presence in our municipality, more policing alone won’t necessarily solve the issue.
I suspect that the increase in property crimes that we have seen in this and surrounding municipalities in recent months is linked to a combination of social factors, including the growing number of folks that I see around town these days who are clearly zoned out, high on illegal drugs like methamphetamine or fentanyl. The problems that we’ve been seeing, with an increased number of stolen bicycles, sheds broken into and tools stolen, or any number of property crimes that we have been hearing about of late, likely requires as much of, or perhaps even more of, a public health and social wellness response than a police response.
Addictions are no excuse for criminal activity, of course, but if a problem is to be properly addressed, it is crucial to get to the root causes.
Addiction, lack of employment opportunities, minimum wages that don’t pay the bills, a lack of affordable housing, can all contribute to an increase in criminal activity, and I suspect that is what we have been seeing with the recent spike in property crimes in this municipality.
Policing is just one aspect of a much larger issue.
As I noted in our print newspaper last week (The 3Rs…Rants, Raves & Rumours, July 25, 2024), in late June two individuals were arrested for these very sorts of property crimes, a 36-year-old man, and a 57-year-old man, both of Meaford. One of those arrested was in possession of methamphetamine at the time of his arrest. That same individual was arrested again just a week later for similar crimes, and will almost certainly be arrested again in the future for the same sorts of crimes.
Despite some suggesting that it is not worth reporting these crimes to police because ‘they won’t do anything’, the police want you to report these crimes, and they will most certainly respond. And they will make arrests if they can trace the stolen goods. But once it gets to court and a bail hearing is held, the suspects are right back on the street, and back to stealing other people’s property.
It is a complicated issue to be sure. On the one hand, I, like most others, have little patience for criminals. I too am frustrated when I see my fellow community members become victims of crime, while on the other hand, it breaks my heart to see folks addicted to such nasty substances that can destroy lives, and communities.
Part of what can frustrate people is that property crimes are generally petty crimes, and though the police might find the culprit, or culprits, and make an arrest, after a quick bail hearing the petty crooks are back out on the streets awaiting their day in court, allowing them to simply pick up where they left off. A future finding of ‘guilty’ results in punishments that many might consider a slap on the wrist, creating even more frustration, particularly as each day brings new postings on social media about the latest items stolen from residential properties.
As I wrote in last week’s print newspaper, the recent uptick in property crimes has many calling for an increased level of policing in this municipality, and I have seen some blame previous councils of this municipality for no longer having a contract with the OPP.
To clear up some confusion, municipal contracts with the OPP are a thing of the past. The province planned to ditch those contracts a few years back, but as with many things, the pandemic delayed the implementation of 2019’s Community Safety and Policing Act until April of this year. Now all municipalities that use the OPP are on a fee-for-service arrangement. If you have noticed a difference in the policing of this municipality in recent months, the newly implemented Community Safety and Policing Act is a big reason why.
As I noted in an article back in April, “After five years of discussions and planning, the Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019, which replaces the former Police Services Act of 1990, was proclaimed in early April. A major part of the transition is the formation of regional detachment boards, with the Grey Bruce OPP Detachment Board being officially ratified by local councils in April of this year.” The Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019 and the abandonment of the contract system results in a more regional approach to policing.
The municipality currently spends roughly $2 million per year on policing (roughly $300 to $350 per annual property tax bill). I am sure that if council has a clear indication that the majority of ratepayers want increased policing, and are willing to pay for it, they will gladly set the wheels in motion to pay for additional services from the OPP. But don’t fool yourself, it will be costly as nothing is free, and in this modern era the OPP charge a fee for everything over and above the charges for calls of service.
The issue finally reached the council chamber, and at council during their last meeting before the August break, Meaford’s CAO informed council that she will be meeting with the OPP to discuss the increase in property thefts experienced in the Municipality of Meaford recently.
If the community wants to see increased policing, and are willing to pay for it, I am all for it. But we must remember that a higher police presence might have some impact, as it might deter a crime or two from happening, but extra policing won’t change some of the root causes that have created a climate in which we are bound to see increased criminal activity. So in addition to more policing, we should also be demanding better and more local supports for those with addictions, we must be demanding increased access to affordable housing, and we should be striving to ensure that if someone works the equivalent of a full time job (whether through one job, or three) their salary should be able to actually afford the true cost of living.
From my perspective, you won’t eliminate property and other petty crimes without taking a serious look at the root causes and working to address them.
