Crime & Safety

[Spokes]

Crime & Safety in Waterloo Region
www.statcan.gc.ca

http://f00.inventorspot.com/images/crime_scene_mgmt1_2405.gif

[Spokes]

Downtowns, dark parks scare some residents
January 04, 2010
By Jeff Outhit, Record staff
http://news.therecord.com/News/Local/article/650120 (http://news.therecord.com/News/Local/article/650120)

WATERLOO REGION — Fear of crime is highest in local downtowns and in parks at night, a new study suggests.

People are very concerned about drinking and driving. They don’t fret much about prostitution.

And they often believe crime is rising, despite statistics showing the crime rate has been falling for a decade.

“We’re a very safe community,” said Insp. Stephen Beckett, of Waterloo Regional Police.

Findings are part of a study titled Fear of Crime: Perceptions in Waterloo Region. The 45-page study was prepared by the local crime prevention council.

Police are not surprised. Earlier research has also found some people are spooked by downtowns.

Beckett could not say if downtowns are actually less safe. Some crimes may be more likely in downtowns, he said. Other crimes are more likely in suburbs, where more people live.

“Many times, we may have more calls for service in a downtown area,” he said. “That’s consistent with the makeup of an urban area.”

To assess crime fears, researchers conducted a random survey of 703 local residents, by mail. Due to demographic limitations, the results reflect only the opinions of respondents.

The survey found residents generally feel safe during the day, wherever they are. However, there’s some fear of downtown crime and of walking in parks.

This fear is much higher at night. The fear of downtown is higher in Kitchener and Cambridge than in Waterloo.

“Each downtown has its own chemistry,” Beckett said.

Women are far more likely than men to feel unsafe in parks at night, the survey found.

The study recommends that police and community agencies work to ensure that perceptions of crime match the reality of crime. This is a policing goal, Beckett said.

To help achieve it, police intend to release more information showing where crimes happen. “Our job is to educate the members of our community on possible crimes that might occur, and how they may prevent them,” Beckett said.

Heightened awareness makes people less likely to become victims and helps prevent crime, he said.

Regional councillors are to consider the crime study at a meeting Tuesday.

[Spokes]

I for one don't find the region scary or unsafe. I understand that urban areas might be a little bit intimidating for some people, but what large urban area isn't? Part of the problem, is that there's been this perception about the downtowns for years, and people's minds haven't been changed. One of the reasons is because The Record keeps publishing articles like this. Rather than reassure people that our Region is safe (as the police officer stated) they confirm people's fears.

You'd think that a company like The Record, who's offices are in an urban area, would want to promote the safety of the area. I haven't seen anything from them even close to that. Then again this is the same publication that holds an online poll asking "Is downtown safe?" It's things like this that will continue to hurt our downtown cores, and push people to the suburbs. Maybe eventually The Record will get on the same page and start supporting the Region.

EDIT: Should I be at all surprised based on who the author of this article is?

[Spokes]

Safety tops list of citizen concerns in Kitchener

January 09, 2010
By Melinda Dalton, Record staff

KITCHENER – While work to improve the downtown is welcome, residents remain conflicted about the core, according to a new study gauging the pulse of the city.

The revitalization of downtown ranked seventh in a list of the top things people said they like about the city. However, downtown and concerns about crime ranked second on the dislike list.

The study, completed by the Toronto-based Environics Research Group, looked at how citizens perceive the city and its services.

It’s the second study of its kind commissioned by Compass Kitchener, a city committee tasked with identifying community concerns and areas for action. The last study was completed in 2005.

The 2009 study showed safety remained an important issue on the minds of residents, even though more than 80 per cent reported feeling perfectly at ease in their own home or neighbourhood.

In comparison, only 31 one per cent said they feel safe downtown after dark.

It may not seem like much, but it’s an improvement compared to 25 per cent who responded positively to the same question five years ago.

That dislike/like downtown dichotomy is likely still largely a product of slow-changing suburban perceptions, said Barry Watson, president of Environics.

“If you look at how things evolve in cities, the revitalization comes first, increased pedestrian (traffic) and increased familiarly with the area comes next and, hopefully, a decline in crime comes later,” he said.

“What we certainly see is the concern about crime is greatest among those who really spend little time downtown. If the revitalization creates an opportunity for more people to come downtown, there’s be a reasonable expectation that the ‘likes’ would increase.”

Only half of respondents said building a lively and vital downtown should be a high priority for the city. Seventy-five per cent said managing growth and carefully planning neighbourhoods should be highest on the list.

Overall, the results of the survey paint a very positive picture of how citizens view Kitchener and its future.

The vast majority, 81 per cent, of those surveyed agreed that the city is “heading in the right direction.”

By far, most respondents said they were satisfied with city government, though a few shifted from the “very” to the “somewhat” satisfied camp between 2005 and 2009.

Topping the list of things citizens liked was quality of life – things like a close-knit feeling, access to amenities, safety and cleanliness. That was also the highest ranked response in 2005.

New on this year’s “likes” list, a series of ranked responses which people were allowed to write in themselves, is “diverse community,” which was a top “like” for 10 per cent of respondents. In 2005, diversity wasn’t even mentioned frequently enough to rank, Watson said.

Most disliked was traffic, roads and transit, commonly a top complaint from city dwellers, said Watson.

“I think, unfortunately, this is just the state of modern urban life that these are the pressures,” he said. “I think traffic and roads and transit increasingly are not keeping up to what people would like and this is, I’m sure, a funding issue as much as anything.”

Despite ranking tops among the dislikes, the number of people who reported satisfaction with municipal road construction and maintenance rose to 70 per cent in 2009, up from only 55 per cent in 2005.

The city lost a few to the “somewhat /very dissatisfied” categories in the areas of bike lanes on roads, The Aud, and Your Kitchener Market. However, the majority in all of those categories still fell on the positive side.

Satisfaction levels with many other city services remained virtually unchanged from those gathered in 2005. Around the same number of people, the majority of respondents in nearly all areas, said they were satisfied with the preservation or re-use of buildings, the city’s walking and biking trails and leaf collection.

“It’s interesting because we all think of these times as times of tremendous change and they are, often at a sensational level,” said Watson.

“But when you take the time to peel back what is truly important to people, when you get down to those fundamental values and priorities, they don’t seem to change that much.

“It really says that you have to be careful not to respond in a knee jerk way to sensational issues and really make sure you’re attending to the things that are truly important to people.”

mdalton@therecord.com

http://news.therecord.com/News/Local/article/653732 (http://news.therecord.com/News/Local/article/653732)

Barry Watson makes a good point. The more downtown revitalization that happens, the more people that will come, and then become more comfortable.

Hopefully the new King Street makeover and lighting will make people feel more comfortable downtown at night. It should.

[UrbanWaterloo]

Police-reported robbery statistics 2008
Published March 25, 2010 - http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/100325/dq100325b-eng.htm

The nature and extent of robberies, as reported to police, has changed during the past decade. Commercial robberies have declined, while robberies occurring in residences and public transit facilities have increased. Firearms were used in 14% of robberies in 2008, compared with 20% a decade earlier.
Canadian police services reported about 32,000 incidents of robbery in 2008, accounting for 7% of all violent crimes. The police-reported rate of robbery was down 10% from 1999, although most of this decline occurred between 1999 and 2002.
Police-reported residential robberies, often referred to as "home invasions," increased 38% between 1999 and 2005. Since then, they have been relatively stable.
The vast majority of robberies were committed by young men. In 2008, almost 9 in 10 of those accused of robbery were male and nearly two-thirds were between the ages of 12 and 24.
Money was the most common item reported stolen (37% of all robberies), followed by personal accessories such as jewellery (18%). Electronic devices such as cell phones, personal music devices and computers, items that can often be sold for a quick profit, were next at 15%.

Three provinces drive decline in robbery rates
During the past decade, three provinces (Quebec, British Columbia and Manitoba) have driven the overall decline in the rate of police-reported robbery. Between 1999 and 2008, the rate fell 30% in Quebec, 22% in British Columbia and 20% in Manitoba.
However, robberies increased in all of the remaining provinces over the past decade, with the largest increase reported in Newfoundland and Labrador. While the rate in this province more than doubled, it remained well below the national average.
Western Canada, particularly Manitoba, recorded the highest rates of police-reported robbery in the country. This is similar to the pattern for overall violent crime rates.
Among census metropolitan areas (CMAs), the highest rates were reported in the western CMAs of Winnipeg, Regina, Saskatoon, Vancouver and Edmonton. The only CMAs in Central and Eastern Canada with above-average robbery rates were Montréal, Toronto, Thunder Bay, Halifax and Hamilton.

Half of all robberies occur in an outdoor public location
In 2008, about half of all robberies were committed on the street or in another outdoor public location such as a parking lot or public transit facility. Another 39% took place in a commercial establishment such as a convenience store or bank. The remaining 10% were residential robberies.
The overall decline in robberies since 1999 resulted from a decrease in the rate of commercial robberies. In particular, bank robberies fell 38%, while robberies of gas stations and convenience stores were down 32%.
Rates of bank robberies in Vancouver and Abbotsford–Mission in 2008 were well above those in any other metropolitan area. Robberies of gas stations and convenience stores were highest in Montréal and Winnipeg.
Robberies occurring in public transit facilities have doubled since 1999, although they continue to account for a relatively low proportion of all incidents (4%). The highest rates of public transit robberies were reported in Edmonton and Montréal.

Home invasions
Although there is no Criminal Code offence of home invasion, it is generally defined as a residential robbery in which force was used to gain entry and the accused was aware that someone was home.
In 2008, police reported 2,700 home invasions — robberies that occurred in a private residence. The rate of home invasions rose 38% between 1999 and 2005 and has been relatively stable since.
Home invasions are committed by strangers less often than other types of robberies. In 2008, 63% of home invasions were committed by a stranger compared with 90% of other types of robbery.
Just over one-quarter of home invasions were committed by acquaintances, which include criminal relationships.

One in seven robberies involves a firearm
Between 1977 and 2002, the rate of robberies committed with a firearm declined steadily. Since then, the rate has remained stable.
A firearm was involved in 14% of all robberies in 2008, compared with 20% a decade earlier. Robberies committed with other weapons, most commonly knives, accounted for 29% of all incidents. No weapon was involved in the remaining 57%.

http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/100325/c100325a.gif

Chart 3: Police-reported robbery, by census metropolitan area, 2008
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/85-002-x/2010001/article/11115-eng.htm
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/85-002-x/2010001/article/11115/c-g/c-g3-eng.gif

Table 3: Police-reported robbery by census metropolitan area, 2008
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/85-002-x/2010001/article/11115/tbl/tbl03-eng.htm
http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa262/AndrewEH/Table3-Police-reportedrobberybycens.jpg

[IEFBR14]

Why does the Record publish a daily Waterloo Region break-in list (http://news.therecord.com/News/Local/article/661909)?

This only serves to increase public angst about crime even when the region's crime rate is well below national averages as indicated in the statistics above. Moreover the list itself is useless because it indicates only the street name. For instance today's list includes "Waterloo - King Street North." That covers a lot of ground. Should I be concerned if I live in Uptown? Should I be concerned if I live near King and Northfield? Was the break-in to a house or a business?

And if there really is a purpose to these daily lists, apart from fanning flames of fear, why don't they also include other crimes like muggings, vandalism, drunkenness (including by vehicle drivers), prostitution, etc?

[mpd618]

Why does the Record publish a daily Waterloo Region break-in list (http://news.therecord.com/News/Local/article/661909)?

Might this be something that seems prominent on the site, but in the actual paper is tiny and hidden away somewhere?

[panamaniac]

Might this be something that seems prominent on the site, but in the actual paper is tiny and hidden away somewhere?

I don't see a problem with the listing of break-ins, although I think that on multi-block streets, it would make sense to indicate in which block the break-in ocurred. Rather than instilling fear in anyone, it would seem a useful reminder that there is property crime out there and that one should remain alert (including to goings and comings in the neighbourhood, something that seems to have declined in recent years).

[UrbanWaterloo]

It is a fairly small part in the printed paper, however I still find I'm agreeing with IEFBR14. In general the media tends to hype up criminal activity in my opinion. Don't get me wrong, incidents like the 2005 Boxing Day Shooting (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boxing_Day_shooting)in Toronto are very tragic, but it doesn't mean I now avoid walking on Yonge Street.

[Shawn]

One positive that I take (from the numbers that UrbanWaterloo posted on March 26th, 2010) is a reinforcement at how low Waterloo Region (and Guelph) score in crime rate. Specificlaly looking at the Rate per 100,000 figures and the year to year comparison. Considering how large a population we are and our close proximity to Hamilton and Toronto (which have significantly higher rates) it makes me proud.

[IEFBR14]

It is a fairly small part in the printed paperI rarely read hard copy newspapers any more. This "feature" is quite prominent on the online version of the Record which is why it irks me so much.


In general the media tends to hype up criminal activity in my opinion. Don't get me wrong, incidents like the 2005 Boxing Day Shooting (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boxing_Day_shooting)in Toronto are very tragic, but it doesn't mean I now avoid walking on Yonge Street.I lived in Toronto for many years. When I returned home to Waterloo about 5 years ago I was struck by the amount of attention the local media paid to what in the GTA would be considered petty crime unworthy of mention. I suppose if our local paper used the same crime thresholds and criteria as The Star, their crime reporters wouldn't have anything to do except for a few days a year. That would be a good thing in my mind. There's lots of good news about Waterloo Region to report on as evidenced by this website.

But instead they choose to fill the paper with any "news", however trivial it may be, especially if they can sensationalize it. That's a great disservice to the residents of Waterloo Region.

[Urbanomicon]

But instead they choose to fill the paper with any "news", however trivial it may be, especially if they can sensationalize it. That's a great disservice to the residents of Waterloo Region.

Have you ever heard of the expression "If it bleeds it leads." Violence sells more papers than a new condo development, that's why it figures more prominently.

[IEFBR14]

Have you ever heard of the expression "If it bleeds it leads." Violence sells...
I'm well aware of that expression, however why the focus on break-ins? Unless a burglar cuts himself on shards of broken glass, there's little chance of bleeding or violence in the commission of most break-ins. If the Record wants to sell more papers, they should provide a daily listing of muggings, assaults, bar brawls, traffic accidents, etc. complete with lots of colour photos that leave nothing to the reader's imagination ;)

Paradoxically, if the best the "bleeding (http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/bleeding)" reporters at the Record can come up with is a daily break-in list then perhaps they're simply proving that we live in a relatively safe environment indeed.

[Spokes]

Why does the Record publish a daily Waterloo Region break-in list (http://news.therecord.com/News/Local/article/661909)?

This only serves to increase public angst about crime even when the region's crime rate is well below national averages as indicated in the statistics above. Moreover the list itself is useless because it indicates only the street name. For instance today's list includes "Waterloo - King Street North." That covers a lot of ground. Should I be concerned if I live in Uptown? Should I be concerned if I live near King and Northfield? Was the break-in to a house or a business?

And if there really is a purpose to these daily lists, apart from fanning flames of fear, why don't they also include other crimes like muggings, vandalism, drunkenness (including by vehicle drivers), prostitution, etc?

I've wondered that a lot too. And as mpd said, its small in the paper, but for those who read primarilly online (like a lot of people do) its at the top or close to the top of the local section every day. In my mind, not needed.

If people want to find out about crime in their neighborhood, the WRPS website can help them, a daily update is a negative. If it must stay cut it to a week.

[Urbanomicon]

I'm well aware of that expression, however why the focus on break-ins? Unless a burglar cuts himself on shards of broken glass, there's little chance of bleeding or violence in the commission of most break-ins. If the Record wants to sell more papers, they should provide a daily listing of muggings, assaults, bar brawls, traffic accidents, etc. complete with lots of colour photos that leave nothing to the reader's imagination ;)

Touché.

[Shawn]

I think this next post is related more to the SAFETY aspect of this thread.

I found this YouTube video showing a particular problem with some of the new LED Crossing control lights at various Waterloo region intersections.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCnxjDxhomQ

[IEFBR14]

Well if those icons could change in reaction to inconsiderate driving or jay walking then we'd truly be "Intelligent Waterloo." ;)

[UrbanWaterloo]

KIT: Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee
Agenda (http://www.kitchener.ca/Files/Item/item18925_2010-05-04.pdf): Tuesday May 4, 2010 4:00 – 5:30 p.m.
**NOTE ROOM CHANGE** | Conestoga Room

Delegations
Pursuant to Council’s Procedural By-law, delegations are permitted to address the Committee for a maximum of 5 minutes.
Item 2
- M. May, Director of Communications / Marketing
- C. Bluhm, Manager, Downtown Community Development

Discussion Items
1. Downtown Advisory Committee Update (10 min)
2. Presentation - Downtown Marketing Strategy (20 min)

Safety in the Downtown – perception vs. reality

3. Work Plan (20 min)

Safe Kitchener Awareness campaign – new idea

...

[Spokes]

Safety in the Downtown – perception vs. reality
...

That'd be pretty good actually. Curious as to what they have to say.

[garthdanlor]

That'd be pretty good actually. Curious as to what they have to say.
The problem is that the perception has always been far worse than the reality. The good burghers of Kitchener just seem terrified of the fairly small collection of homeless people and eccentrics who congregate in the downtown. Uptown has never suffered quite the same perception as Waterloo tends to export its "problem" core residents to Kitchener by neglecting social services.

[UrbanWaterloo]

That'd be pretty good actually. Curious as to what they have to say.

The problem is that the perception has always been far worse than the reality.

Agreed. If I'm downtown around 4PM I'll try to pop into the meeting.

[Spokes]

The problem is that the perception has always been far worse than the reality. The good burghers of Kitchener just seem terrified of the fairly small collection of homeless people and eccentrics who congregate in the downtown. Uptown has never suffered quite the same perception as Waterloo tends to export its "problem" core residents to Kitchener by neglecting social services.

Exactly! So maybe they'll not only talk about it, but talk about ways of changing public perception. That's the important (but hard) thing to do.

[panamaniac]

Exactly! So maybe they'll not only talk about it, but talk about ways of changing public perception. That's the important (but hard) thing to do.

Both the reality and the perception need some work. When it comes to personal security/insecurity, the perception is usually more important than the reality (i.e. you don't stay away because you will be harmed, but because you fear you might be).

[Spokes]

Both the reality and the perception need some work. When it comes to personal security/insecurity, the perception is usually more important than the reality (i.e. you don't stay away because you will be harmed, but because you fear you might be).

Yes you're right. But I personally think that the reality would improve as the perception does. When people think they're safe and keep coming downtown it'll result in more people being there, and I personally think that the more people are downtown, the safer it'll be. Are you going to get mugged with 20 people around you? Probably not.

[UrbanWaterloo]

Police-reported hate crimes (2008)
Released June 14, 2010 | http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/100614/dq100614b-eng.htm
More Detailed Report: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/85-002-x/2010002/article/11233-eng.htm

http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/100614/c100614c.gif

Police services in Canada reported 1,036 hate crimes in 2008, up 35% from 2007. Just over half (55%) were motivated by race or ethnicity, 26% by religion and 16% by sexual orientation. All three major categories of hate crime increased in 2008. The largest increase was among those motivated by sexual orientation, which more than doubled from 2007 to 2008. Hate crimes motivated by religion increased 53%, while those motivated by race or ethnicity increased to a lesser extent, up 15%. Violent crimes, mainly assaults and uttering threats, accounted for 42% of all hate crimes. Mischief offences such as vandalism to property accounted for 47%, while other non-violent offences comprised the remaining 11%.

Among the hate crimes motivated by race or ethnicity, almost 4 in 10 were committed against Blacks. Police reported 205 hate crimes against Blacks in 2008, up 30% over 2007, but still lower than the 2006 total of 238. South Asians, which includes East Indians and Pakistanis, were the next most commonly targeted group, accounting for 12% of hate crime incidents motivated by race or ethnicity. Incidents targeting South Asians increased by 21% in 2008.

As in previous years, about two-thirds of religiously-motivated hate crimes were committed against the Jewish faith. There were 165 hate crimes targeting the Jewish faith in 2008, up 42%. Police reported 30 hate crimes against the Catholic faith, double the total in 2007. The 26 incidents against the Muslim faith represented a slight drop from 2007.

Vancouver and Hamilton reported the highest rates (6.3 hate crimes per 100,000 population) among Canada's 10 largest census metropolitan areas (CMAs). Police reported 143 hate crimes in Vancouver in 2008, nearly double the total from the previous year. There were 271 hate crimes reported in the CMA of Toronto. It ranked near the middle of the 10 largest CMAs with a rate of 5.4 hate crimes per 100,000 population. Montréal, where police reported 38 hate crimes in 2008, had the lowest rate (1.0). The number of hate crimes reported by police in any given area may be influenced by the presence or absence of specialized hate crime units or initiatives.

Table 1: Hate crimes reported by police, by type of motivation
http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/ss203/UrbanWaterloo/Misc/StatCan-Table1-Hatecrimesreportedby.jpg

Table 2: Hate crimes reported by police, by type of motivation, by 10 largest census metropolitan areas
http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/ss203/UrbanWaterloo/Misc/StatCan-Table2-Hatecrimesreportedby.jpg

Detailed Chart 1: Hate crimes reported by police, by census metropolitan area, 2008
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/85-002-x/2010002/article/11233/c-g/c-g1-eng.gif

Detailed Chart 5: Hate crimes reported by police, by type of offence, 2008
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/85-002-x/2010002/article/11233/c-g/c-g5-eng.gif

Six in ten persons accused of hate crime are youth and young adults
In general, a disproportionate number of youth and young adults are accused of crime. This is particularly the case for crimes motivated by hate. In 2008, 59% of persons accused of committing a hate-motivated crime were between 12 and 22 years of age compared to 38% of those accused of crime in general (Chart 6). The peak age of those accused of hate crime was 17 and 18 years. Most accused persons were male (88%), similar to the finding for crime in general. Victims of hate crime in 2008 tended to be a little older than accused persons. In 2008, the average age of victims was 32 years compared to 27 years for accused persons. As with accused persons, however, three-quarters of victims were males.

Detailed Chart 6: Persons accused of hate crimes reported by police, by age, 2008
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/85-002-x/2010002/article/11233/c-g/c-g6-eng.gif

[Spokes]

Got something to say about street gangs? Here’s your chance

July 15, 2010
By Cherri Greeno, Record staff

WATERLOO REGION — Want to help prevent gang activity in Waterloo Region?

Now’s your chance.

Members of the Waterloo Region Street Gang Prevention Project want your input in an online survey.

Community members are invited to take part in the 10-minute survey at www.preventingcrime.ca as part of the project’s community assessment phase.

“It will give us information that will help with the development of the project,” said Rohan Thompson, manager of the project.

The Waterloo Region Street Gang Prevention Project, announced last year and run by several local agencies, will look at crime data, dropout levels and socio-economic statistics in its focus on five troubled neighbourhoods in Waterloo Region.

Phase one of the project, which focuses on community assessment, is almost done.

Phase two of the project will focus on community treatment, where members will work directly with at-risk youth or gang-affiliated youth.

Phase three will look at community mobilization where members will work with communities to help residents address street gang issues.

Members hope the research will allow them to provide positive alternatives for youth who are at risk of entering gangs and those looking to get out of gangs.

The community survey is a chance for members of the project to hear how residents feel about street gang prevention. It’s also a chance for residents to tell project staff about neighbourhood issues they may not already know about.

The survey will be available online until July 31. The actual project is expected to be completed in 2013.

cgreeno@therecord.com

[Spokes]

So I always thought the Record had a hard on for making Kitchener seem far less safe than it really is but this proves it ....


Woman escapes man with knife outside Kitchener bank
August 27, 2010 | Record Staff | Link (http://news.therecord.com/News/Local/article/768663)

KITCHENER — A 20-year-old woman escaped unharmed after a man approached her outside a bank and ordered her into her car.

The incident happened at about 7:10 p.m. Thursday after the woman had withdrawn cash from an ATM near the intersection of Lincoln Road and Weber Street, Waterloo Regional Police said.

As she was returning to her car, a man approached and told her to get in the passenger seat, police said.

The man lifted up his shirt to reveal a knife in his waistband.

The woman managed to draw the attention of a security guard working in the area, who interrupted the attempted robbery, police said.

The suspect took off and the victim was uninjured.

The man is described as white, about six-feet-tall with a thin build. He was in his early 20s and had short, scruffy brown hair. He was wearing a maroon T-shirt and blue jeans.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 519-650-8500 ext. 3399 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

Note the parts I've highlighted in Red. But the incident happened at Lincoln Road and Weber Street. Hmm. THAT'S IN WATERLOO!!!

[Spokes]

There's been a decent amount of discussion about the Iron Horse Trail since the death of a man there Friday night. As a result of that some are suggesting ways to make it better, things like more lighting, more patrols and removing some of the overgrown vegetation in some areas. I'd encourage council to do all of these things!

In addition to that, I'd encourage them to do all of these things in Victoria Park. These things will make both places feel safer for people and they can then become used a whole lot more.

[IEFBR14]

Police Hunt for Killers
January 3, 2011 | Brent Davis and Melissa Tait | Waterloo Region Record | Link (http://www.therecord.com/news/local/article/308142--police-hunt-for-killers)


A 60-year-old Kitchener man is dead after an altercation on Iron Horse Trail in Kitchener on New Year’s Eve.

Homicide detectives are investigating after two men walking along the trail around 11:49 p.m. Friday night were approached by two males and a physical altercation ensued...

The incident took place near the foot bridge, close to West Avenue.

[ruud]

This story is definitely unnerving. I live very close to the Union St entrance and have always felt very uncomfortable with the trail. Although the concept is good the trail itself is poorly designed and maintained, which I think helps attract this type of behaviour.

Hopefully the cities and police can do something to make this a safe and appealing part of the community, as I'm sure it was intended to be.

[IEFBR14]

Although the concept is good the trail itself is poorly designed and maintained, which I think helps attract this type of behaviour.
The lack of lighting is also a real safety issue after dark. It's not only danger from possible assault/robbery, but also from collisions between pedestrians and cyclists. On a dark night, trail users who don't carry lights and wear reflective clothing are to see and avoid.

[Pheidippides]

There's been a decent amount of discussion about the Iron Horse Trail since the death of a man there Friday night. As a result of that some are suggesting ways to make it better, things like more lighting, more patrols and removing some of the overgrown vegetation in some areas. I'd encourage council to do all of these things!

In addition to that, I'd encourage them to do all of these things in Victoria Park. These things will make both places feel safer for people and they can then become used a whole lot more.

The City of Kitchener is accepting input about improving the trail system via a survey:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/KTMP_Questionnaire

[UrbanWaterloo]

Regional police continue to investigate death of male in Kitchener
January 3, 2011 | Link (http://www.wrps.on.ca/news/regional-police-continue-investigate-death-male-kitchener)

Waterloo Region, Ontario – Waterloo Regional Police Homicide Investigators are investigating the death of male in connection with an assault that occurred on December 31, 2010 in Kitchener.

Shortly before midnight on Friday December 31, 2010, emergency services were called to the Iron Horse Trail near West Avenue in regards to two males who sustained serious injuries resulting from an assault from two suspects. The two victims were transported to hospital by EMS for treatment of their injuries. One victim succumbed to his injuries while at the hospital.

Police have identified the deceased as John Louis FERREIRA, 60 years, of Kitchener. A post mortem examination conducted in Hamilton on January 2, 2011 confirmed the caused of death as a stab wound to the upper chest.

The other victim, the 35 year old son of the deceased, was treated and released from hospital.

Investigators are actively looking for two suspects described as;

1. Male white, 6' tall, late teens to early twenties, very thin build, shaved head, wearing dark clothing.

2. Male white, 5'9" tall, late teens to early twenties, short brown hair, dark clothing.

An investigative team of detectives continue to canvass the area for any witnesses to this event.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Waterloo Regional Police at 519 650 8500 ext. 4499 or Crime Stoppers at 1 800 222 TIPS (8477).

[Spokes]

The City of Kitchener is accepting input about improving the trail system via a survey:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/KTMP_Questionnaire

When is the Kitchener Community Trails Master Plan supposed to be done, do you know?

[Pheidippides]

When is the Kitchener Community Trails Master Plan supposed to be done, do you know?

According to:
http://www.kitchener.ca/en/insidecityhall/opreviewdocs.asp

Initiation of project Spring 2011.

but according to:
http://www.kitchener.ca/en/livinginkitchener/resources/Communitytrailsdisplaypanels.pdf

Completion of study phase 3 in January 2011.

More information:
http://www.kitchener.ca/en/livinginkitchener/TrailsMP.asp

[Spokes]

Police get $1.1 Million
January 29, 2011 | Wonderful Waterloo
The Waterloo Region Police Service will get additional funding from the province of Ontario to better fight gun and gang crime in the Region of Waterloo.

John Milloy, MPP Kitchener Centre announced that the Waterloo Regional Police Service will receive nearly $1.1 million in Provincial Anti-Violence Intervention Strategy (PAVIS) funding over the next two years, an increase of 41 per cent.

“Rooting out gangs from Ontario neighbourhoods, taking guns off our streets and giving young Ontarians opportunities for a better, more productive future, all help reduce future criminal activity and make communities safer” said Milloy.

The additional funding is a welcome addition for police chief Matt Torigian.

“The Waterloo Regional Police Service is committed to removing dangerous drugs and weapons from our streets and protecting our neighbourhoods from organized criminal activity” said Torigian. “We are pleased to accept this PAVIS grant as it supports our investigations, promotes results and contributes to improving the quality of life in our Region.”

Since 2003, the McGuinty government has provided funding to put another 94 officers on Region of Waterloo streets. That’s something that will continue to provide results according to the Waterloo Regional Police Services Board Chair, Tom Galloway.

“The additional financial support for PAVIS will enable Waterloo Regional Police to do more to disrupt and lessen gang activity in our community” said Galloway. “The PAVIS initiative complements the work being undertaken by the Crime Prevention Council Gang Prevention Project and assists in stopping the spread and undermining the lure of gang culture in Waterloo Region making our streets safer for everyone.”

[Waterlooer]

RIDE checks stepped up for Super Bowl Sunday
February 5, 2011 | The Record | Link (http://www.therecord.com/news/local/article/482077--ride-checks-stepped-up-for-super-bowl-sunday)

[UrbanWaterloo]

Police arrest Richmond Hill male in local jewelry store robberies
Mar 4, 2011 | Waterloo Regional Police | Link (http://www.wrps.on.ca/news/police-arrest-richmond-hill-male-local-jewelry-store-robberies)

Waterloo Regional Police, in partnership with Guelph Police Service, have arrested a York Region male for his alleged connection to recent robberies at two Peoples Jewellers stores.

An ongoing and extensive investigation led detectives to Richmond Hill, Ontario where a 19 year male was arrested today with the assistance of members of York Regional Police Emergency Response Unit officers.

The male is being held for alleged robbery and weapons-related offences in connection with incidents at the Peoples Jewellery Store in Fairview Park Mall, Kitchener on December 1, 2010 and at Peoples Jewellers in the Stone Road Mall, Guelph on January 28, 2011.

Police continue to investigate the circumstances of these robberies. Anyone with information is asked to contact Waterloo Regional Police Central Detectives at (519) 650 8500 ext. 4499; Guelph Police Service Property Crime Unit at 519-824-1212 ext. 344 or Crime Stoppers 1 800 222 8477.