People are hunkering down at home in self-isolation together to do their part to battle the rapid spread of COVID-19, and York Regional Police have seen some trends that relate to that — good and bad.
First, the good news.
Crime has decreased overall by about 13 per cent in March 2020 over the same time last year. Traffic violations, fraud, weapons offences, and impaired driving are all on the decline.
Most notably, there has been a 29 per cent decrease in impaired-related criminal charges throughout York Region’s nine municipalities.
However, calls for domestic incidents increased by 22 per cent since the near-lockdown has taken effect in the region, as have commercial break-ins and vehicle thefts.
Newmarket’s seasonal homeless shelter, Inn from the Cold, has seen an influx of new clients seeking shelter because of family conflict at home. And with job layoffs and reduced income during this time of disruption, those who turn up at the shelter for the first time say they can’t afford a hotel room and family have turned them away due to social and physical distancing.
The biggest increase York police has seen during the pandemic is in stunt driving incidents, about which it notes a 60 per cent increase in drivers getting nabbed for going 50 km/h over posted speed limits.
Sgt. Andy Pattenden on March 25 noted that the near-empty roads seemed to equal higher speeds.
“This month (March), we have investigated 32 incidents of stunt driving and last night we caught #33,” the statement on social media said. “This driver was clocked at 149 km/hr in a 50 km/h zone.”
The next day, York police warned people to slow down as it caught a driver doing 111 km/h in a 50 km/h zone in Aurora.
“Just because the roads are relatively empty, don’t think you get away with speeding,” the force said. “Speed limits apply, even when there are fewer cars on the road. We’re watching.”
Meanwhile, York police has received more than 200 complaints related to the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act in the past seven days.
“The calls have been related to non-essential businesses operating and people failing to isolate or maintain physical distance,” police officials said.
At this time, York Regional Police has not laid any charges under these new provisions and has been working to educate members of our community on what is required.
Despite the rumours on social media @YRP is not issuing tickets under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act when there are two people in a car. Please do your best to maintain physical distance and appropriate protection to limit the chance of spreading COVID-19.
— York Regional Police (@YRP) April 1, 2020
And, despite the rumours on social media, York police have not issued tickets under the emergency act for two people in a car together, the force said today.
"Please do your best to maintain physical distance and appropriate protection to limit the chance of spreading COVID-19," police said in a social media statement.
York police remind residents that many offences can be prevented by taking precautions.
For information on:
- support for victims of domestic violence, visit Women’s Centre of York Region here.
- how to protect your business property during periods of reduced hours or extended closures, click here.
- how to prevent having your vehicle stolen, visit here.
- Information on the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act can be found here.
All York Regional Police facilities remain closed to the public.
For non-emergencies, call 1-866-876-5423 toll-free, or complete a report online.
Anyone contacting police for assistance can expect to be asked additional screening questions to limit the potential for spreading illness. There will be no changes to police response in an emergency.
