The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted policing in South Simcoe, in some unexpected ways.
On July 27, Deputy Police Chief Robin McElary-Downer provided the BWG-Innisfil Police Services Board with the stats, comparing calls received during the period from March 15 (when the COVID shut-down began) to the present day, to the same period last year.
“Once March sets in, activity significantly drops off,” the Deputy Chief noted.
Due to COVID-19 protocols, vehicle stops are way down. In 2019, South Simcoe Police issued 996 warnings and laid 2,142 traffic charges in BWG and Innisfil during the four-month period. This year, that dropped to 394 warnings and 609 charges.
The number of impaired and related charges were also down – again, due to a change in policing. R.I.D.E. programs went from 63 in 2019, to only 13 in the same period this year.
However, the number of drunk drivers involved in collisions remained unchanged, at seven.
Some criminal activity has also declined during COVID. With more people staying home during the day, residential break & enters declined from 22 in the four-month period in 2019, to only five this year, while commercial break & enters dropped from 12 to 6.
Similarly, thefts of motor vehicles decreased from 51 to 27.
Level 1 assaults also dropped from 52 to 42 – but other complaints increased.
Domestic assaults between siblings went up from 10 to 13 calls, while breach of domestic orders jumped from 1 to 6 and the calls to police as a result of verbal arguments went up from 78 to 95.
Landlord/tenant disputes doubled, from 36 in 2019 to 73 during the same period in 2020.
Renovation fraud, identity theft and internet fraud all increased this year – internet fraud complaints up by one-third.
By-law complaints also increased – the majority related to COVID-19, with residents reporting large gatherings, or the removal of security tape from public areas. One hundred and sixty-nine people were “educated” on the pandemic regulations, said McElary-Downer.
As the economy has gradually reopened and things return to “normal,” there has been a gradual increase in the number of complaints, said Chief Andrew Fletcher. “Call volume has definitely gone up, compared to three months ago.”
Members of the Police Services Board asked for greater detail, including a month by month break-down.
There was a suggestion that residents are becoming more impatient, and more likely to push the limits as the pandemic drags on.
“More speeding,” said PSB member Chris Gariepy. “People are on the gas pedal now.”
“I’m getting a lot more calls about people being more reckless on boats,” said Innisfil Mayor Lynn Dollin, such as water-skiing or tubing without a spotter, or coming in too close to shore. “The lake seems to be so much busier this year.”
She added, “I realize we have only one boat and a really big shoreline.”
McElary-Downer said the South Simcoe Police Marine Unit responded to 26 calls in June alone - five for search and rescue.
“We do have busy days,” she said, acknowledging that there are more personal watercraft on Lake Simcoe now than at any other time in the last 11 years.
The Marine Unit hasn’t changed its level of service, she said.
“Our marine unit is out there four days a week. We’re not on the lake the other days of the week” – although Chief Fletcher suggested the Police Service might organize a “blitz” targeting unsafe boaters and Seadooers.
COVID-19 has also had an impact on South Simcoe Police financials.
The purchase of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) was a “$21,000 unbudgeted line item,” noted Chief Fletcher. Officers are now equipped with face masks – “nice dark blue masks that match our uniforms.”
At the same time, the Police Service has experienced savings, due to reduced patrols and calls, reduced fuel usage and maintenance costs, and cancellation of Ontario Police College training sessions, earlier in the year.
New vehicles have been ordered, but because of COVID-19 have not been delivered – which means that money budgeted hasn’t been spent.
That’s also the case for the six new hires approved for 2020. Hiring was delayed due to COVID-19 and the cancellation of OPC training, allowing the service to save on salaries and benefits.
And there was a drop in overtime, as officers cancelled their vacation and travel plans, opting to stay at home and work.
As a result, the month of June saw a “positive variance” of $598,205, compared to budgeted expenses.
A $10,000 grant, to train officers in dealing with guns and gangs, has also been unspent, due to the temporary suspension of the training programs.
“We’re thinking outside the box how we can use that money,” said Fletcher, noting that during the pandemic, “Things change daily, weekly, monthly.”
