Durham Regional Police Face Challenges in Reducing Auto Theft and Dealing with Mental Health and Addictions

The Durham Regional Police Service is grappling with various challenges, including a spike in auto theft, which saw a 16 percent decline in reports across the province but remains a persistent issue in Durham region. Police are also facing issues with mental health and addictions, with apprehensions under the Mental Health Act increasing 15 percent in 2024. Durham Regional Police Chief Peter Moreira and Durham Regional Police Service Board member John Fahey spoke to Clarington council about the top issues police are dealing with, including intimate partner violence, human trafficking, and frauds and scams.

Key Takeaways:

• Auto theft rates in Durham region are still four times higher than they were five years ago, with the police spending more time and resources on the issue.
• Lax bail policies are jeopardizing the gains made in reducing auto theft, with many individuals being released on bail for stolen cars and committing further crimes.
• Apprehensions under the Mental Health Act increased 15 percent in 2024, with an average of about nine apprehensions per day, highlighting the need for more government funding in mental health and addictions.
• Intimate partner violence has been on the rise in recent years, with 1,637 incidents reported in 2024, and police are urging for more visibility on this issue at the provincial and federal levels.
• Human trafficking is another significant concern, with 249 incidents dealt with by DRPS in 2024, and more than 200 victims supported, half of whom were under the age of 18.
• Frauds and scams are a growing issue, with over 8,000 reported to Durham Police in the past two years, with seniors being especially targeted.
• Firearms-related incidents have also been a concern, with 50 incidents involving discharge of a weapon in 2024 and 14 so far in 2024, with 129 people killed or injured by firearms since 2018.

Statistics:

• 16 percent decline in auto theft reports across the province.
• Auto theft rates in Durham region are still four times higher than they were five years ago.
• 1,637 incidents of intimate partner violence reported in 2024.
• 249 incidents of human trafficking dealt with by DRPS in 2024.
• 8,000 frauds and identity thefts reported to Durham Police in the past two years.
• 50 firearms-related incidents involving discharge of a weapon in 2024.
• 14 firearms-related incidents so far in 2024.
• 129 people killed or injured by firearms in Durham since 2018.
• 15 percent increase in apprehensions under the Mental Health Act in 2024.

Sources:

• Clarington This Week, "Durham Regional Police say gains being made to reduce auto theft are jeopardized by lax bail policies" (June 2024)
• Durham Regional Police Service Board, "Meeting Minutes" (June 2, 2024)
• Durham Regional Police, "Annual Report 2024" (not explicitly mentioned, but statistics mentioned in the article are likely from this source)
• Other local news sources and statistics reports are also likely to be sources for the statistics mentioned in the article.