Crime in Niagara Region remains a concern for many. Photo Credit: Facebook/NRPS.
On Monday, the Niagara Region Police Service put out two news releases dealing with theft: in one case, an ATV was stolen, while in another, a suspect was charged with breaking and entering.
The ATV incident occurred on Saturday, April 20. At just before 7am, officers responded to a report of a suspicious person in Wainfleet.
The arrest was made near Quarry Road and Lakeshore Road after a male was identified with a stolen ATV. The accused had stolen an ATV but it had run out of gas. Police on the scene learned that the individual had another outstanding warrant. His alleged accomplice was later arrested returning to the scene with gas to refuel the ATV.
The first person arrested was Robert Adams, who is 48. Adams was charged with possessing stolen property under $5,000 and for failing to appear for fingerprints in a previous case. Patrick Smith, 40, was also arrested and charged with the possession of stolen property under $5,000.
Both men were released under a Form 10 Undertaking with a future court date and the ATV was returned to its owner.
The second case also occurred on Saturday, April 20, in Wainfleet. Niagara Regional Police were called to the scene after a report of breaking and entering at several seasonal residences. The area was near Rathfon Road and Lakeshore Road. Officers located an individual charging an e-bike. Upon further investigation, the individual was found to be in possession of stolen items and the e-bike battery had died as the suspect attempted to flee the scene.
Christopher Airhardt, 41, was arrested and charged with three counts of breaking and entering, two counts of possession of stolen property under $5,000 and one count of possessing breaking and entering instruments.
Airhardt was held in custody for a video bail hearing on April 21. Anyone with further information is asked to contract Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by phone.
Crime in Niagara Region remains a concern for many.
Niagara Region’s crime severity index score has held steady at around 55 points between 2016 and 2022, below the municipal Canadian average of 71.3 points. However, Niagara Region’s violent crime severity index score is up above 77 points and increased steadily between 2016 and 2022. It to falls below the national average, but just slightly. The Canadian municipal average score is 81.9 points.
Violent crime has been increasing in Canada in recent years and increased notably both during and after the pandemic.
Crime severity in Canada varies nationwide, but Ontario tends to have a lower crime rate than that of Canada’s more western provinces. The territories are known for some of the highest crime rates in Canada.
Statistics Canada’s most recent crime statistics, which are cited in this article, are from 2022.
Jay Goldberg is the Ontario Director at the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. He previously served as a policy fellow at the Munk School of Public Policy and Global Affairs. Jay holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Toronto.
