PETERBOROUGH-Over the past five years, Peterborough’s non-violent crime severity index, which includes property crimes, has gone up just over 28% according to police. Police say this increase is by far the highest of all comparator services.
To address the increase, the Peterborough Police Service has announced the Community F.I.R.S.T program will be launching in January 2024.
Community F.I.R.S.T stands for Community-Focused Investigation & Response Support Team and will consist of four frontline officers whose primary responsibility will be to address and investigate property crimes in our communities. The workload for these officers will be generated through calls for service as well as reports made through the online reporting portal.
“This program is in response to what we have been hearing from the community for several years when it comes to property crimes. The voice and concerns of the community are being heard. We know property crimes have adverse effects on residents and business owners and we want to do a better job in responding to these types of calls. Our officers are busy responding to high priority calls each, and every day, which means that these types of calls get lower priority. It is frustrating for victims of crime, and it is frustrating for our officers who want to serve the community. Each of us knows it’s what the community expects and deserves.” – Chief Stuart Betts, Peterborough Police Service.
The Community F.I.R.S.T will be a year-long pilot program after which its effectiveness and sustainability will be assessed.
Our officers will be wearing high visibility clothing and be deployed in pairs and will conduct investigations related to thefts, mischief, and stolen property throughout Peterborough, Cavan-Monaghan, and Lakefield.
In the 3rd Quarter of 2023, we have received:
| Jul | Aug | Sept | ||
| Mischief | 45 | 52 | 37 | 134 |
| Shoplifting <$5k | 99 | 113 | 87 | 299 |
| Theft from Vehicle <$5k | 41 | 43 | 46 | 130 |
| Gas Drive Off | 8 | 5 | 15 | 28 |
| Theft <$5k | 6 | 3 | 5 | 14 |
| Theft <$5k – Person | 35 | 42 | 41 | 118 |
| Theft <$5k – Building | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 |
| Theft <$5k – Bike | 18 | 21 | 17 | 56 |
| Theft <$5k – Construction Site | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 253 | 280 | 252 | 785 |
