Hants communities are not high crime areas

By Jennifer Hoegg

The Hants Journal/NovaNewsNow.com

Windsor is nothing special when it comes to crime, says outgoing police chief Tom Grant. In fact, incidents are declining. “We are not a high crime area,” the RCMP staff sergeant said before his April 30 retirement. There are liquor offences, domestic violence, fights and traffic violations. “We have all the things any community has,” but the crime rates for the Windsor district are on the decline.

“A few years ago our crime rates were much higher and enforcement was stepped up,” Grant pointed out. Enforcement and visibility have continued to be detachment priorities.

Grant is pleased that part of the large area he oversaw, the Windsor town detachment, stresses foot patrols: “When the public gets to know you, things get better.”

Enforcement efforts alter arrest statistics, he added. For example, the number of impaired drivers caught is rising, because, Grant thinks, enthusiastic enforcement efforts from the “young Mounties” on the district’s roster. And, as crime rates drop, there is more time for enforcement, bumping up some statistics.

Contrary to many people’s perception, youth has have not changed much during Grant’s 34-year career. “Young people are not worse now; the same things happened 30 years ago.”

Grant finds today’s youth to be better educated and “there is a very small percentage of problem young people. Ninety per cent of the time they’re polite and respectful.”

As for Youth Criminal Justice Act -- the current incarnation of young offender legislation -- Grant said it is part of an ongoing difficult discussion. “(People) always see a problem with the young persons act because they’re not treated the same (as adults.) There’s no set answer. Give them credit for trying.”

Changes in the drug scene

One area where Grant has seen dramatic change is in the variety of illegal drugs on the street. “Some of the drugs out there are worse than before -- because everything progresses,” he said. “If you got the money, you can get anything you want, anywhere.”

When it comes to street drugs, “you don’t know what you’re taking,” Grant cautioned. He said many drugs are being sold as something they are not. For example, the detachment has rarely found actual Ecstasy, but many other drugs being sold as Ecstasy.

Windsor did see a rise in drug trafficking in recent years, Grant noted. “We had a drug problem. That was becoming more serious.” With the help of the detachment’s street crime unit, two undercover operations helped shut down some area dealers.

Ongoing education and enforcement are the keys to deterring drug use and trafficking, he added.

But even after a long career on the force, there are still some surprises for the RCMP veteran. These include a high number of suicides throughout the Valley, and a recent rash of motor vehicle accidents involving youth.

“Young people are invincible,” Grant said, “that hasn’t changed in 35 years. I don’t think that part will never change.” But the low rate of seatbelt usage among the fatalities is a shock.

“I was one of the dinosaurs,” he acknowledged. “I was one of the last ones to (buckle up). Now, it’s a natural reflex.”

Some surprises are happier, like new provincial rules to encourage safer driving. “I love that cell phone rule. The smoking one is another wonderful law.”