Officers in the major crime unit were kept busy in 2021, Chatham-Kent police services board members heard May 11.
There were three homicides reported in 2021, up from one the previous year. Six attempted homicides were also reported, up from zero last year but closer to the four reported in 2019.
“There’s some fairly substantial statistical changes,” Insp. Mike Domony said in his presentation, which also provided the annual rundown for various other policing units.
Domony added major crime investigations take a “great deal of effort” within the unit for both detectives and the identification branch.
There was a downward trend with commercial and residential break-ins, which was attributed to more attention on prolific offenders, the pandemic and a focus on street drug crimes.
The fact many people now work from home has also limited the opportunities, the report noted.
“We are in a very small way lucky that some of our property crime numbers dropped,” Domony said.
The numbers of frauds decreased, with this being attributed to increased public awareness about scams and phishing occurrences.
The increasing use of electronic payments has also diminished the opportunity for currency-based frauds, the report added.
Police reported there were 31 investigations related to child exploitation, including child pornography and other online offences.
Fourteen arrests were made, with a total of 48 charges.
According to the report, there were two incidents where the offenders were traced to the US, with the cases then forwarded to the Department of Homeland Security.
In March, the suspect in one of the investigations was arrested in Washington state based on information from Chatham-Kent police.
const. Rich Kwon, who heads the unit, informed the board he will be his last year in the position, with his successor slated to undergo training.
SEX OFFENDER REGISTRY
There are currently 286 male sex offenders registered in Chatham-Kent and three female offenders.
This number increased by 19 from the previous year due to offenders being released from custodial sentences or moving to the area from other jurisdictions.
The police will have two more members trained to register offenders this year, bringing the total to seven in the organization.
DRUG OVERDOSES
Board members heard there were 17 drug overdoses in Chatham-Kent last year.
More than $18.6 million in drugs were seized, with fentanyl, methamphetamines and cocaine being the primary substances. Officers also executed warrants at illegal cannabis grow operations.