COVID-19 impacts the number of crime cases

 

 

Business owners are reporting different experiences in the number of crime cases due to COVID-19. 

While major and minor offences are still going on, statistics show the percentage of many criminal incidents during COVID-19 has dropped. 

According to Statistics Canada, the number of criminal incidents from March to June 2020 decreased by 39,753 cases. This is a 16.4 per cent drop compared to June 2019. 

Mohamad Kart, a business owner at Greek Pitas Restaurant, said he used to deal with vandalism and robberies at his restaurant, but in 2020 he has not had any incidents. 

“When it comes to my area, I am always working eight hours a day, six days a week, on Wyandotte street, I think we did not see anything serious yet in 2020,” said Kart. “All the clubs and bars are closed, so it is less drinking in the downtown area, plus a lot of people stay home with the family, that impact the crime scene.”  

Other speculated COVID-19 has put a lot of stress on people leading to some crimes.  

Jimmy Gratto, a pest control technician at ABELL pest control, said he noticed through his experience local crimes have increased due to COVID-19. 

“People are breaking into closed businesses. These places do not even know they are being broken into until days later,” said Gratto. “Churches have been closed so there are no offerings to help local communities with food or things they may need.” 

In Windsor, police officers encourage people to report any crime when it occurs to assist them in a quick response. 

Talya Natyshak, a constable in the corporate communications unit with the Windsor Police Service, said there are several things people can do to protect themselves from any likely crime. 

“Some suggestions are locking up vehicles and residences, making sure residences are well lit and kept up and making sure to report suspicious activity to police,” said Natyshak. “It takes a community effort to prevent and solve crimes and our community does an excellent job at that.” 

According to the Windsor-Essex County Crime Stoppers Statistical Report, charges laid in June 2020 as a result of Crime Stoppers tips had decreased by 50 per cent over those laid in April. There here were nine charges in June, a drop from 18.  

Across Canada total assaults have decreased by 11.4 per cent. The number of cases decreased from 55,769 in 2019 to 49,405 in June 2020 and the total robberies dropped by 20.2 per cent from 4,442 cases in June 2019 to 3,543 in June 2020. However, total calls for services related to domestic disturbances or disputes had increased through this pandemic by 11.6 per cent.