Busy year for Chatham-Kent police major crime unit

Chatham-Kent police’s major crime unit had another busy year in 2022.

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According to the annual report, presented during last week’s police services board meeting, there was a hike in the number of some offenses, with a drop in others.

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“We found 2022 was once again a very busy year for violent crimes,” the report stated. “The investigative team was stretched to investigate four homicides and three attempted homicides, nine aggravated assaults, in addition to sexual assaults, home invasions and robberies, as well as significant frauds.”

In 2021, there were three homicides, 10 attempted murders and five aggravated assaults. Sexual assaults dropped from 101 to 74 last year.

Reported robberies dropped from 42 to 28, with weapons offenses decreasing from 69 to 37.

Residential break-ins were unchanged at 368, while business break-ins dropped from 305 to 263.

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“This annual report takes an in-depth look at policing within our municipality and some of the great work of our members that they continue to provide on a daily basis,” Chief Gary Conn told the board before it voted to accept the report.

With respect to the year-over-year changes, the report stated there are “ebbs and flows” with violent crime and that the picture becomes clearer over time.

It noted there also was a concerted effort to “monitor serial offenders both locally and in neighboring jurisdictions through patrol initiatives as well as collaborative information sharing” with other police agencies.

“CKPS has focused attention and resources on a small local group of known criminals, as well as criminals who commit crime in a number of municipalities,” the report added.

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In Chatham-Kent, there are currently 299 people, an increase of 10, who are registered sex offenders, of which three are female.

The registry includes those convicted of offenses ranging from sexual assault, interference and exploitation, to voyeurism, child pornography, invitation to sexual touching and luring.

Last year, five offenders were charged for not complying with their obligations under the law.

“As a police service, CKPS is consistently in the top tier of agencies in Ontario for compliance percentage,” the report stated.

Conn said drugs, property crime and road safety remain other priorities for the police service, and that the units involved will continue their enforcement and educational efforts.

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