What is City Council Doing About the Increase of Crime in Downtown Brampton?

Published September 17, 2019 at 1:51 pm

Many people have come to realize that there has been a significant increase in crime rates in Brampton, especially in the downtown core.

Many people have come to realize that there has been a significant increase in crime rates in Brampton, especially in the downtown core.

According to the Peel Police 2018 Annual Report, there has been an increase in different types of crime in the region.

In 2018, there were 26 homicide victims in the Peel Region, which is an increase of 63 per cent since 2017. There were also 242 victims of stabbings in the year, which is an increase of 55 per cent since 2017. Around 53 people were victims of shootings, which accounts for an increase of 33 per cent.

Police have laid charges for over 43,000 Canadian Criminal Code offences, which is an increase of 7 per cent since 2017. Over 15,600 people were charged during the year, with 11 per cent of those people being between the ages of 12 to 17-years-old.

Gun violence has also been a major problem for the Peel Police. In 2018, police seized 459 firearms and investigated 504 potential shootings, which is an increase of 18 per cent since 2017.

In 2018, police also laid 232 charges per day in the Peel Region due to Highway Traffic Act violations. There were also 41 motor vehicle fatalities, which is an increase of 43 per cent since 2017.

So, what is being done about the sudden increase in crime in downtown Brampton?

Regional Councillor Martin Medeiros has set a motion to improve public safety in downtown Brampton, one of the most crime-ridden areas of the city.

On September 11, Brampton City Council unanimously passed Councillor Medeiros’ motion to improve safety in the area. The motion was seconded by Councillor Rowena Santos, Councillor Paul Vicente and Councillor Jeff Bowman who also represent downtown Brampton. 

The motion requests the Peel Region to develop a Downtown Brampton Outreach Strategy to support individuals with mental health issues, addiction issues and homelessness. 

The motion also asks the City of Brampton to report back on increasing safety and security in all city-run facilities and public space in the downtown area as well as collaborate with the BIA and other downtown organizations. 

“I’ve heard loud and clear from residents and businesses there has been an increase in community safety and security concerns in the downtown Brampton area. I look forward to collaborating with Regional and city staff, and local stakeholders to develop both short-term and long-term strategies to enhance downtown Brampton’s image and increase the sense of community pride in our downtown” says Councillor Medeiros. 

Though the councillor has not specifically stated what the outreach strategy should include and what he wants to do about the increase of crime, he states that city staff will put together a report to formally take to Peel Regional Council. 

What do you think about Councillor Martin Medeiros’ motion?

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