At the Board of Police Commissioners’ monthly meeting on Monday, February 14 Chief Frank Beazley of Halifax Regional Police and Superintendent Darrell Beaton, Officer in charge of Halifax District RCMP, presented the 2010 year-end crime statistics.

The overall crime rate has risen four per cent, which is being driven by an increase in property crime.

Compared with 2009, property crime in 2010 is up seven per cent, including a 13 per cent increase in break and enters, increases in theft over and under $5000, and a six per cent decrease in thefts of motor vehicles.

What is encouraging is that violent crime in 2010 is down over five per cent, with homicides decreasing by one case (-eight per cent) for a total of eleven; attempt homicides decreasing by eight incidents (-31 per cent) for a total of 18; robberies dropping by 21 per cent and assaults decreasing by three per cent.

HRM Partners in Policing recognize that crime is cyclical and we expect to see fluctuations in the crime rate. HRM’s overall crime rate decreased from 2005-08 and held steady in 2009.

The increase in 2010 concerns us and we remain committed to our crime reduction strategy. We need our citizens to assist us in reducing crime, particularly property crime.

We encourage citizens to secure their property to prevent thefts from motor vehicles and break and enters into their homes and garages/sheds. Together, we can decrease crime and enhance public safety in our community.