Mr. Speaker, there has been a reduction of 14.2% in the overall crime rate in the Hamilton-Wentworth region.
The Regional Hamilton-Wentworth Police Services Board announced this week that not only have violent crimes gone down, including murder, but also that property crimes and auto thefts have been significantly reduced.
Homicides went down 54.5% in 1998 compared to the previous five year average. Property crimes have decreased by 16.6% as compared to the previous five year average. There was also an 18% decrease in the number of fatal accidents last year.
I want to congratulate the chief of police, Kenneth Robertson, and the Hamilton-Wentworth Regional Police for their continuing and diligent efforts to make the streets of Hamilton and the surrounding areas a safer and better place to live.
Indeed, local police forces across the entire country deserve our congratulations and our support for all the work they do to keep the crime rates down.