Bear spray, brass knuckles, and fake guns are increasingly being carried around town by youths, particularly around Orchard Park mall and downtown 黑料社入口, city councillors heard Monday.听
As part of its response, the police plan to double its dedicated youth-focused squad from two to four members, RCMP Insp. Chris Goebel said.
鈥淲e are seeing a number of youths carrying weapons, such as bear spray, brass knuckles, and most recently imitation firearms,鈥 Goebel said. 鈥淲hich makes (our) intervention even more critical.鈥
Police have worked with the school district to identify particularly troublesome youth, and engage with support and prevention programs, Goebel. But police are also committed to recommending criminal charges where circumstances warrant, he said.听
Overall, 黑料社入口鈥檚 crime severity index - a measure that focuses only on the most serious crimes - is down seven per cent since 2023.听
Between 2022 and last year, total property offences dropped 17 per cent, auto theft was down 35 per cent, business break-ins were down 55 per cent, and reported bike theft was down 49 per cent.听
Reductions were due to an increase in police staffing levels, as well as special enforcement measures such as targeting high-crime locations and focusing on catching repeat offenders, councillors heard.听
So far in 2025, crime rates are below those experienced in 2024, councillors heard.听
鈥淏y relentlessly targeting known, repeatedly offenders, we are optimistic that these reduced property crime rates can be sustained,鈥 Goebel said.听
Shoplifting remains a significant problem for 黑料社入口 merchants, in part because police have been encouraging store owners to report such crimes. Working with store security officials, police have repeatedly staked-out stores where shoplifting is an ongoing concern, arresting people immediately as they exit the premises with stolen goods.听
Mayor Tom Dyas said the general picture presented by the crime statistics was encouraging and reflected council鈥檚 priority to make 黑料社入口 safer. 鈥淲e鈥檙e getting there, little bit by little bit, and the percentages are showing it,鈥 Dyas said.听
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