Crime Statistics in New Brunswick

Transcription

1 Crime Statistics in New Brunswick Department of Public Safety January 211

2 Crime Statistics in New Brunswick Published by: Department of Public Safety Province of New Brunswick P.O. Box 6 Fredericton, New Brunswick E3B 5H1 Canada January 211 Printed in New Brunswick

3 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY CRIME STATISTICS IN NEW BRUNSWICK JANUARY 211 INSIDE THIS ISSUE: VIOLENT CRIMES PROPERTY CRIMES 2 5 OTHER CRIMES 7 DRUG CRIMES 8 IMPAIRED DRIVING CRIME SEVERITY INDEX 1 14 OVERVIEW OF CRIME IN NEW BRUNSWICK In 29, there were 42,171 Criminal Code offences (excluding traffic) in New Brunswick, or 1% fewer offences than were reported in 28. Sixty percent of offences were violations against property; 27% were violations against the person; and the remaining 13% were other non-violent Criminal Code violations. New Brunswick s overall crime rate Criminal Code Offences in New Brunswick, 29 was 56.3 offences per 1, population in 29, a decrease 5,543 11,551 Violent Crimes - 27% of 1.3% 25,77 from the previous Other Crimes - 13% year. The rate of violent crimes was 15.4 offences per Figure 1. 1, people in 29, an increase of 2.7% from 28. The rate of property crimes in the province dropped 2.2%, from 34.2 offences per 1, people in 28 to 33.5 offences per 1, people in 29. The largest rate decrease was in other crimes (-5.1%), which was 7.8 in 28 and 7.4 per 1, people in 29. Property Crimes - 6% 42,8 42,6 42,4 42,2 42, 41,8 41,6 41,4 41,2 41, Figure 2. Number and Rate of Criminal Code Offences (excluding traffic) in NB, , , , Total Criminal Code Offences (excluding traffic) Crime Rate Per 1, in NB NB Crime Rate Per 1, by Category, See page 11 for notes about the data used in this report. 7.4 Violent Crimes Property Crimes Other Crimes Figure 3.

4 CRIME STATISTICS IN NEW BRUNSWICK Page 2 VIOLENT CRIMES IN NB In 29, there were 11,551 violent offences reported in NB, representing a 3.1% increase (+343 offences) from the 11,28 offences reported in 28. The number of violent offences in 28 had increased 8.5% since 27 when 1,33 violent crimes were reported to police. In 29, the violent crime rate was 15.4 offences per 1, population in NB, an increase of 2.7% from the previous year when the violent crime rate was 15. offences per 1, people. In 27, the rate of violent crime was 13.9 offences per 1, individuals. 12, 11,5 11, 1,5 1, 9,5 Number and Rate of Violent Crimes in NB , , , Violent Rate Per 1, Figure 4. The tables below indicate which violent offences experienced percentage change increases or decreases between 28 and 29. For instance, the number of attempted murders increased by three, or 42.9%, in 29 over the previous year. Conversely, aggravated sexual assault decreased by three offences, or 5.% in 29 as compared to 28. Percentage Change Increases in Actual Homicide 3.% (+9) Attempted Murder 42.9% (+3) Total Sexual Violations Against Children 84.3% (+43) Percentage Change Decreases in Actual Sexual Assault, Level 3, -5.% (-3) aggravated Sexual Assault, Level 2, weapon -55.6% (-5) or bodily harm Sexual Assault, Level 1-2.% (-11) Assault Level 2, weapon or bodily harm 1.4% (+15) Assault, Level 3, aggravated -3.4% (-2) Assault Level 1 8.5% (+398) Forcible Confinement or Kidnapping 31.7% (+13) Criminal Harassment 1.2% (+7) Uttering Threats.9% (+23) Assault Peace Officer, weapon or bodily harm NA (+3) Assault Peace Officer -7.5% (-2) Total Other Assaults -41.7% (-1) Total Robbery -6.2% (-13) Total Abduction -33.3% (-5) Extortion -21.4% (-3) Threatening or Harassing Phone Calls -8.3% (-65) Total Other Violent Violations -16.6% (-34) Violent Crimes include the 2 offences listed in the tables above, as well as: total other violations causing death; aggravated assault to a peace officer; and total firearms (use of, discharge, and pointing).

5 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 Page 3 HOMICIDE Police reported 12 homicides in 29, nine more than the number reported in 28. That year, only three homicides were reported, five fewer homicides than in 27. In 29, the homicide rate in New Brunswick was 1.6 per 1, people. In 28, there were.4 homicides per 1,, and in 27, the homicide rate was 1.1 per 1, people. Of the homicides that were reported in 29, 58% (7) were first degree murder, 25% (3) were second degree murder, and 17% (2) were manslaughter. No infanticides were reported in 29, the only other offence contained within the homicide category. Since the reported numbers of homicides and sexual violations against children are small, rates are calculated on a per 1, population basis, as opposed to the 1, population basis used elsewhere in this report. TOTAL SEXUAL VIOLATIONS AGAINST CHILDREN In addition to homicide, the other violent crime that appears to have increased substantially in 29 is total sexual violations against children. In 27, 1 incidents were reported to police. One year later, that number jumped to 51 incidents, a 41% increase. In 29, 94 incidents of sexual violations against children were reported, an increase of 84.3% over the previous year. Four Criminal Code offences are included in the category, Total Sexual Violations Against Children. They are: sexual interference; invitation to sexual touching; sexual exploitation; and luring a child via a computer. In 29, 58.5% (55) of all sexual violations against children reported in NB (94) were sexual interference. Sixteen percent (15) were invitation to sexual touching while 2% (2) were sexual exploitation. Almost a quarter of all sexual violations against children (23.4% or 22 incidents) were luring a child via a computer Actual Number and Rate of Homicides in NB, Number and Rate of Sexual Violations Against Children in NB Sexual Violations Against Children by Sub- Category in NB, Actual Rate Per 1, Figure 5. Rate Per 1, Figure 6. Sexual Interference Invitation to Sexual Touching Sexual Exploitation Luring a Child via a Computer Figure 7.

6 CRIME STATISTICS IN NEW BRUNSWICK Page 4 ASSAULT In 29, there were 6,247 assaults (levels 1-3) in New Brunswick. The rate per 1, population was 8.3. When compared to the previous year, the number of assaults increased 7.% (+411 incidents) while the assault rate per 1, people increased 6.4%. The majority of assaults consisted of assault level 1 at 81.6% in 29, 8.5% in 28, and 82.3% in 27. In fact, assault level 1 is the most frequently reported violent crime in New Brunswick. The number of level 1 assaults increased by 8.5% in 29, from 4,698 incidents in 28 to 5,96 in 29. The number of level 2 assaults increased as well, but to a lesser extent (+1.4%) from 1,8 incidents in 28 to 1,95 in 29. The most serious form of assault (aggravated assault, or level 3) decreased by 3.4%, from 58 incidents in 28 to 56 in 29. Level 1 = applying force to another person, without the presence of a weapon and without involving severe injury Level 2 = involving bodily harm or a weapon Level 3 = aggravated SEXUAL ASSAULT In 29, there were 559 sexual assaults (levels 1-3) reported in NB. The rate per 1, population was.7. When compared to the previous year, the number of sexual assaults decreased 3.3% (-19 incidents) while the sexual assault rate per 1, people dropped 3.6%. The vast majority of sexual assaults consisted of sexual assault level 1, the least serious form of sexual assault. Between 27 and 29, at least 97% of all sexual assaults were level 1. The number of level 1 sexual assaults decreased by 2.% in 29, from 563 reported incidents in 28 to 552 in 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 5,2 5, 4,8 4,6 4,4 4,2 4, Number and Rate of Assaults in NB, Number and Rate of Sexual Assaults in NB Sexual Assault Level 3 Sexual Assault Level 2 Sexual Assault Level 1 Rate Per 1, Figure 1. Number and Rate of Level 1 Sexual Assault in NB Number and Rate of Level 1 Assault in NB , , , Assault Level 3 Assault Level 2 Assault Level 1 Rate Per 1, Figure 8. Rate Per 1, Figure 9. Rate Per 1, Figure 11.

7 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 Page 5 in 29. The number of level 2 sexual assaults decreased as well, but to a greater extent. In 28, nine level 2 sexual assaults were reported to police; four were reported in 29, representing a 55.6% reduction. Similarly, the number of level 3 sexual assaults decreased by half (-5.%), from six incidents reported in 28 to three incidents in 29. PROPERTY CRIMES IN NB In 29, there were 25,77 property offences reported in NB, representing a 1.9% decrease (-492 incidents) from the 25,569 offences reported in 28. The number of property offences in 28 had decreased.2% since 27 when 25,633 property crimes were reported to police. In 29, the property crime rate was 33.5 offences per 1, population in NB, a decrease of 2.2% from the previous year when the property crime rate was 34.2 offences per 1, people. In 27, the rate of property crime was 34.4 offences per 1, individuals. The most prevalent property crime in NB is theft, followed by mischief and break and enter. Property crimes include: break and enter, possession of stolen property, motor vehicle theft, theft, fraud, mischief and arson. 25,8 25,6 25,4 25,2 25, 24,8 24,6 Number and Rate of Property Crimes in NB , , , Property Crimes in New Brunswick Rate Per 1, Figure 12. THEFT Police reported 9,96 thefts in 29, 336 fewer thefts than the number reported in 28, which is a 3.3% reduction. Between 27 and 28, the number of thefts reported to police increased 2.2%. The Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics divides theft offences into two broad categories: total theft over $5, and total theft under $5,. Each category is then subdivided into theft over/under $5,; theft over/under $5, from a motor vehicle; and shoplifting over/under $5,. In 29, 97.2% of all thefts within NB (9,684 incidents) were thefts under $5,. Of that number, 6,172 (or 62%) were thefts of $5, or under; 2,56 (or 21%) were thefts $5, or under from a motor vehicle; and 1,456 (or 15%) were shoplifting of $5, or under. The remaining 2.8% of all thefts (276 incidents) were thefts over $5,. Of that number, 228 (or 2.3%) were thefts over $5,; 39 (or.4%) were thefts over $5, from a motor vehicle; and 9 (or.1%) were shoplifting over $5,. 3, 25, 2, 15, 1, 5, 1,4 1,3 1,2 1,1 1, 9,9 9,8 9,7 Theft Mischief Break and Enter Fraud Motor vehicle theft Arson Possess stolen property Number and Rate of Thefts in NB, , , , Figure 13. Rate Per 1, Figure 14.

8 CRIME STATISTICS IN NEW BRUNSWICK Page 6 Thefts by Sub-Category in New Brunswick, 29 MISCHIEF 97.2% 2.8% 2.3%.4%.1% Total theft under $5, Theft over $5, Theft over $5, from a motor vehicle Shoplifting over $5, Figure 15. In 29, police reported 7,816 mischief offences, or 1.4 for every 1, New Brunswickers. This represented an increase of 37 incidents, or 5%, over the previous year. During the same time period, the rate of mischief per 1, population increased 4%. Between 27 and 28, the number of mischief offences decreased 5%, and the rate per 1, dropped 4.8%. Thefts by Sub-Category in New Brunswick, 29 FRAUD 2.8% 97.2% 62.% 14.6% 2.6% Total theft over $5, Theft $5, or under Theft $5, or under from a motor vehicle Shoplifting $5, or under Number and Rate of Mischief Offences in NB Figure 16. Between 28 and 29, the number of frauds reported to police decreased 2.9% from 1,914 incidents in 28 to 1,668 in 29. In 27, 1,774 frauds were reported in NB. MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT In 29, 1,288 motor vehicle thefts were reported, only three more than in 28. In 27, 1,345 motor vehicles were reported stolen. ARSON 7,9 7,8 7,7 7,6 7,5 7,4 7,3 7,2 3,9 3,8 3,7 3,6 3,5 3,4 3,3 3, , , , Number and Rate of Break and Enters in NB, , , , Rate Per 1, Figure 17. Rate Per 1, Figure 18. In 29, there were 457 arsons in NB, one less than the number reported in 28 and 29 more than in 27. POSSESSION OF STOLEN PROPERTY Possession of stolen property increased from 354 incidents in 28 to 418 in 29, which is an increase of 18.1%. Between 27 and 28, the number of incidents increased 9.3%. 29 Rates Per 1, Fraud 2.2 Motor Vehicle Theft 1.7 Arson.6 Possession of Stolen Property.6

9 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 Page 7 OTHER CRIMES IN NB Offences which are not violent or propertyrelated are classified as other crimes. These include counterfeiting, weapons violations, child pornography, prostitution, disturbing the peace, administration of justice violations, and other non-violent Criminal Code violations. In 29, there were 5,543 other crimes reported in NB, a decrease of 4.8% (-28 incidents) from the 5,823 incidents reported in 28. The number of other crimes in 28 had increased 2.7% since 27 when 5,669 other crimes were reported to police. 5,9 5,8 5,7 5,6 5,5 5,4 Number and Rate of Other Crimes in NB , , , Rate Per 1, Figure 19. In 29, the rate of other crimes was 7.4 offences per 1, population in NB, a decrease of 5.1% from the previous year when the other crime rate was 7.8 offences per 1, people. In 27, the rate of other crimes was 7.6 per 1, individuals. The most prevalent other crimes in NB are administration of justice violations, which includes (but is not limited to) breach of probation, failing to comply with an order, and failing to appear. The second most frequently committed other crimes (in 29) are other non-violent Criminal Code violations, such as trespassing at night, obstructing a public or peace officer, and indecent acts. In 27 and 28, disturbing the peace was the second most prevalent other crime. Between 28 and 29, decreases were reported in the other offence categories of counterfeiting (-5.%, or -9 incidents), disturbing the peace (-17.9%, or -252 incidents), prostitution (-12.1%, or -8 incidents), administration of justice violations (-3.6%, or -1 incidents), and child pornography (-2.7%, or -1 incident). During the same time period, weapons violations increased 3.7% (+71 incidents) and other non-violent Criminal Code violations increased 1.5% (+19 incidents). Other Crimes in New Brunswick, Actual Counterfeiting Child pornography Prostitution Weapons violations Other Crimes in New Brunswick, Actual 3, 2, 1, Other non-violent C.C. 1,225 1,29 1,39 violations Disturb the peace 1,42 1,48 1,156 Administration of justice violations 2,6 2,773 2,673 Figure 2. Figure 21.

10 CRIME STATISTICS IN NEW BRUNSWICK Page 8 29 Rates Per 1, Counterfeiting 1.2 Number and Rate of Drug Crimes in NB Weapons Violations 4.3 Child Pornography 4.8 Prostitution 7.7 Disturb the Peace ,95 1,9 1,85 1,8 1, , ,818 1, Rate Per 1, Figure 22. Administration of Justice Other Non-Violent Criminal Code Violations DRUG CRIMES Drug crimes include possession, trafficking, production, and importation/ exportation related offences for cannabis, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamines (crystal meth), methylenedioxyamphetamines (ecstasy) and other drugs. The authority for these offences is within the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and, as a result, drug crimes are not included in the overall crime rate. In 29, drug crimes increased 5.9%, from 1,818 incidents reported to police in 28 to 1,926 incidents in 29. Similarly, the drug crime rate rose from 2.4 in 28 to 2.6 offences per 1, population in 29. Between 27 and 28, drug crimes decreased 4.3%, from 1,9 offences in 27 to 1,818 in 28. This represented a rate decrease of 4.6% from 2.5 in 27 to 2.4 offences per 1, population in 28. Actual Actual 2, 1,5 1, Drug Crimes is NB ,298 1,223 1, Drug Crimes in NB Cannabis Other Controlled Drugs and Substances Act Drugs Cocaine Heroin Methamphetamines (crystal meth) Methylenedioxyampheta mines (ecstasy) Cannabis Offences in New Brunswick, 29 Figure 23. Figure 24. CANNABIS Almost 66% of all drug crimes in 29 were cannabis-related offences. Of the 1,269 cannabis offences reported to police that year, 775 incidents (or 61%) were for possession. The number of cannabisrelated offences increased 3.8% (+46 incidents) in 29 over the previous year Possession - 61% Trafficking - 21% Importation/Exportation and Production - 18% Figure 25.

11 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 Page 9 Cocaine Offences in New Brunswick, Possession % Trafficking % Importation/Exportation and Production -.4% COCAINE In 29, 26 cocaine-related offences were reported in NB, down from 272 in 28 for a 4.4% reduction. Unlike cannabis, the majority of cocaine offences (78% or 24 incidents) were for trafficking, production or distribution (importation and exportation), and not possession. HEROIN Other Controlled Drugs and Substances Act Drugs in New Brunswick, 29 Figure 26. Less than 1% of all drug offences reported in NB in 29 were for heroin. That year, only 1 incidents were reported, four more than in 28 for an increase of 66.7%. Three of the 1 incidents were for possession, while the remaining seven incidents were for trafficking Possession - 31% Trafficking - 66% Importation/Exportation and Production - 3% Rates Per 1, in New Brunswick, Figure 27. OTHER CONTROLLED DRUGS AND SUBSTANCES ACT DRUGS Almost 19% of all drug offences in 29 were offences relating to other drugs under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (drugs other than cannabis, cocaine, heroin, crystal meth or ecstasy). The number of other drug offences increased from 37 in 28 to 357 in 29, representing a 16.3% increase. Sixty-six percent of these other drug offences were for trafficking; 31% were for possession; and 3% were for production and distribution Cannabis Other CDSA Drugs Cocaine Figure 28. METHAMPHETAMINES (CRYSTAL METH) The number of offences related to crystal meth increased 42% in 29, from five incidents in 28 to 26 in 29, making crystal meth more prevalent than heroin in NB. In 27, no incidents involving crystal meth were reported by police Rates Per 1, in New Brunswick, Heroin Methamphetamines (crystal meth) Methylenedioxyamph etamines (ecstasy) Figure 29. Fourteen of the crystal meth offences reported in 29 were for trafficking; the remaining 12 incidents were for possession. METHYLENEDIOXYAMPHETAMINES (ECSTASY) In 29, four offences relating to ecstasy were reported in NB, down from five in 28 and up from zero in 27. Three of the four ecstasy offences in 29 were for trafficking; the other ecstasy offence was for possession.

12 CRIME STATISTICS IN NEW BRUNSWICK Page 1 IMPAIRED DRIVING In 29, there were 2,426 impaired driving offences reported in NB, representing a decrease of 1.8% from the reported 2,719 incidents in 28. In 27, 2,156 impaired driving offences were reported for a 26.1% increase in 28. The rate of impaired driving offences was 3.2 per 1, population in 29, compared to 2.9 in 27 and 3.6 in 28. The number of impaired driving offences causing death decreased in 29 for the second consecutive year. In 27, seven impaired driving offences causing death occurred, which dropped to three in 28 and decreased to two in 29. The number of impaired driving by drug offences has steadily increased since 27. That year, no incidents were reported by police in NB. In 28, 27 impaired driving by drug offences were reported, and in 29, 13 incidents occurred, representing an increase of 281.5%. The most prevalent of all impaired driving offences in NB is impaired operation of a motor vehicle, vessel or aircraft by alcohol. Police reported 2,124 of these incidents in 29, down from 2,488 incidents in 28, representing a 14.6% decrease. Impaired driving includes the offences of: impaired operation causing death; impaired operation (drugs) causing death; impaired operation causing bodily harm; impaired operation (drugs) causing bodily harm; impaired operation of a motor vehicle, vessel, or aircraft; impaired operation (drugs) of a motor vehicle, vessel, or aircraft; failure to provide a breath sample; failure to comply or refusal (drugs); failure to provide a blood sample; and failure to provide a blood sample (drugs) , 2,5 2, 1,5 1, , 2,5 2, 1,5 1, 5 Number and Rate of Impaired Operation (Drugs) of a Motor Vehicle, Vessel, or Aircraft in NB Number and Rate of Impaired Driving Offences in NB , , , Rate Per 1, Impaired Operation (Alcohol) in NB, Number and Rate of Impaired Operation (Alcohol) of a Motor, Vessel, or Aircraft Offences in NB , , , Rate Per 1, Imp. Oper., failure to provide blood sample Impaired operation, causing death Impaired operation, causing bodily harm Imp. Oper., failure to provide breath sample Figure 3. Figure 31. Figure 32. Rate Per 1, Figure 33.

13 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 Page 11 NOTES ABOUT THE DATA This report is based on police-reported crime data. Every municipal and regional police force in New Brunswick and the RCMP in the province participates in the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Survey, which is managed nationally by the Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics (CCJS). The UCR forms the basis of crime data collection within the provinces/territories and across the country. The UCR Survey is designed to collect aggregate data on the incidence of crime. This is the number of crimes known to police, whether officers discover the infractions themselves or they are reported to them. The UCR, and by implication this report, only includes what police know about crime. Not all crimes are detected, and some that are detected are never brought to the attention of police. Although not discussed in this report, victim surveys, such as the General Social Survey (GSS) on victimization, and self-report surveys are alternative sources of data on the prevalence of crime. All of these surveys, including the UCR, are susceptible to several reporting factors and biases and are not directly comparable. However, they may be used in a complementary manner to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of the extent of crime in a population. The UCR records three major components for each criminal incident: 1) the most serious offence within the incident by type and volume (generally the offence which carries the longest maximum sentence under the Criminal Code of Canada); 2) clearance (by charge or otherwise); and 3) persons charged in connection with the offence (by gender and adult/youth). Crimes are cleared in one of two ways: 1) when police file a report to Crown counsel recommending a charge be laid; or 2) where sufficient evidence to proceed with charges exists but the physical arrest of an offender is not possible because s/he has died or left the country, or police, given a certain set of circumstances, decide upon another course of action, e.g., diversion. Police-reported crime is divided into three major categories of Criminal Code offences: 1) violations against the person (violent crimes); 2) violations against property (property crimes); and 3) other nonviolent Criminal Code violations (other crimes). Offences under these three categories constitute total crimes. Criminal Code offences pertaining to traffic (impaired operation and other Criminal Code traffic violations) as well as drug crimes (offences under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act) are discussed independent of total crimes. This report is limited to a discussion of offences under the Criminal Code of Canada and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. It excludes Criminal Code traffic violations other than impaired operation offences; it excludes violations under other federal, provincial, and municipal statutes or bylaws as well. This report presents crime data in three ways: 1) actual incidents; 2) rate per population; and 3) percentage change between years. Actual incidents are the raw numbers of offences reported to or discovered by police which, upon preliminary investigation, have been deemed to have occurred or been attempted. The rate is the number of Criminal Code offences or crimes reported for every 1, or 1, persons. A rate per 1, is used when the number of offences reported is small. The rate is a better measure of trends in crime than actual incidents because it allows for population differences. The percentage change enables comparisons in the amount of crime between years. Caution should be used in reviewing the percentage changes as minor increases in reported incidents can result in large percentage change increases when the number of reported incidents is small. For instance, there were 12 homicides in New Brunswick in 29, nine more than the number reported in 28 (3 homicides), which is a 3% increase. FACTORS AFFECTING POLICE-REPORTED CRIME STATISTICS Many factors are believed to affect the prevalence of crime and the reporting of crime. Some of these factors include: Demographics - The age distribution within a population, particularly the number of males between the ages of 15 and 24 years (the age group most likely to commit crime and be victimized by crime), can influence crime rates (Sauvé, 25).

14 CRIME STATISTICS IN NEW BRUNSWICK Page 12 Social and economic factors - Inflation and economic hardship may affect the prevalence of financiallymotivated crimes such as robbery, break and enter, and motor vehicle theft. Similarly, alcohol consumption and unemployment rates are correlated with homicide rates (Pottie-Bunge, Johnson and Baldé, 25). Access to socio-economic resources is associated with neighbourhood crime rates (Charron, 29; Savoie, 28). Other studies have found links between income and education levels and crime (Wallace, Wisener, & Collins, 26). Public reporting to police - The public s willingness to report crimes to the police impacts crime statistics. Changes in citizens responses to and perceptions of certain crimes (such as sexual assault or spousal violence), sometimes the result of media portrayals of crime, can lead to differences in reporting rates to the police (Dauvergne and Turner, 21). As well, strong partnerships between police and communities might encourage citizens to come forward and report more incidents to police (British Columbia, 28). Police reporting and enforcement practices - Internal police records management systems (RMS) and processes can impact on whether or not a criminal incident is entered into the local RMS and forwarded to the national Uniform Crime Reporting program (Dauvergne et al., 21). Moreover, special police operations that target certain types of crime are reflected in official crime statistics (Sauvé, 25). Legislative or policy changes - Changes in legislation, such as an amendment to the Criminal Code to create a new offence or broaden the definition of an existing offence, will likely increase or decrease the number of incidents reported to police and by police. Similarly, when the Youth Criminal Justice Act was introduced in 23, many police forces adjusted their policies to better reflect the principles set out in the YCJA to reduce youth contact with the formal criminal justice system, resulting in fewer police-reported criminal incidents by youth (Sauvé, 25). Technological change - Continual advances in technology have enabled opportunities for new, more complex crimes to develop, creating new challenges for police (Dauvergne et al., 21). It is most likely a combination of many factors, rather than a single factor, that accounts for changes in crime rates. References: British Columbia (28). Crime statistics in British Columbia, 28. Policing Services Division, Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General, British Columbia. Vol.1, no.3. Charron, M. (29). Neighbourhood characteristics and the distribution of police-reported crime in the city of Toronto. Crime and Justice Research Paper Series. Ottawa: Statistics Canada. Catalogue no MIE-no.18. Dauvergne, M., & Turner, J. (21). Police-reported crime statistics in Canada, 29. Ottawa: Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics, Statistics Canada. Catalogue no X. Pottie-Bunge, V., Johnson, H., & Baldé, T. (25). Exploring crime patterns in Canada. Crime and Justice Research Paper Series. Ottawa: Statistics Canada. Catalogue no MIE-no.5. Sauvé, J. (25). Crime statistics in Canada, 24. Juristat. Ottawa: Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics, Statistics Canada. Catalogue no XIE, Vol.25, no.5. Savoie, J. (28). Neighbourhood characteristics and the distribution of crime: Edmonton, Halifax and Thunder Bay. Crime and Justice Research Paper Series. Ottawa: Statistics Canada. Catalogue no MIE-no.1. Wallace, M., Turner, J., Matarazzo, A., & Babyak, C. (29). Measuring crime in Canada: Introducing the crime severity index and improvements to the uniform crime reporting survey. Ottawa: Statistics Canada. Catalogue no X. Wallace, M., Wisener, M., & Collins, K. (26). Neighbourhood characteristics and the distribution of crime in Regina. Crime and Justice Research Paper Series. Ottawa: Statistics Canada. Catalogue no MIE-no.8.

15 CRIME STATISTICS IN NEW BRUNSWICK Page 13 Police-Reported Criminal Code, Drug, and Impaired Driving Offences - NEW BRUNSWICK Number of Offences Rate Per 1, Crime Category Vol Chg % Chg Vol Chg 8/9 8/9 8/9 % Chg 8/9 TOTAL CRIMINAL CODE 41,632 42,6 42, VIOLATIONS AGAINST THE PERSON 1,33 11,28 11, Homicide Total Other Violations Causing Death Attempted Murder Sexual Assault, level 3, aggravated Sexual Assault, level 2, weapon or bodily harm Sexual Assault, level Total sexual violations against children Assault, level 3, aggravated Assault, level 2, weapon or bodily harm 896 1,8 1, Assault, level 1 4,385 4,698 5, Assault peace officer Assault peace officer, weapon or bodily harm Aggravated assault to a peace officer Total other assaults Total firearms; use of, discharge, pointing Total robbery Forcible confinement or kidnapping Total abduction Extortion Criminal harassment Uttering threats 2,375 2,538 2, Threatening or harassing phone calls Total other violent violations VIOLATIONS AGAINST PROPERTY 25,633 25,569 25, Break and Enter 3,849 3,816 3, Possess stolen property Motor vehicle theft 1,345 1,285 1, Theft 1,72 1,296 9, Fraud 1,774 1,914 1, Mischief 7,841 7,446 7, Arson OTHER NON-VIOLENT C.C. VIOLATIONS 5,669 5,823 5, Counterfeiting Total weapons violations Child pornography Total prostitution Disturb the peace 1,42 1,48 1, Total administration of justice violations 2,6 2,773 2, Total other non-violent Criminal Code violations 1,225 1,29 1, DRUG CRIMES 1,9 1,818 1, Cannabis 1,298 1,223 1, Cocaine Heroin Other Controlled Drugs and Substances Act Methamphetamines (crystal meth) Methylenedioxyamphetamine (ecstasy) IMPAIRED DRIVING 2,156 2,719 2, Impaired operation, causing death Impaired operation (drugs), causing death Impaired operation, causing bodily harm Impaired operation (drugs), causing bodily harm Imp. Oper., of a motor vehicle, vessel or aircraft 1,996 2,488 2, Imp. Oper., (drugs) vehicle, vessel, aircraft Imp. Oper., failure to provide breath sample Failure to comply or refusal (drugs) Imp. Oper., failure to provide blood sample Failure to provide blood sample (drugs)

16 CRIME STATISTICS IN NEW BRUNSWICK Page 14 CRIME SEVERITY INDEX In 29 Statistics Canada developed a new tool to address the issue of the overall crime rate being driven by high-volume, less-serious offences such as minor thefts, mischief and minor assaults. The Crime Severity Index (CSI) measures not only the volume of police-reported crime in Canada, but its severity as well. The CSI is designed to measure changes in the overall seriousness of crime, as well as relative differences in the seriousness of crime across the country. The seriousness of an offence is determined by assigning a weight derived from court sentences to each offence. The more serious the average sentence, the higher the weight for that offence. Therefore, more serious offences have a greater impact on changes in the CSI. The CSI itself is calculated by multiplying the number of police-reported incidents for each offence by the weight for that offence. All weighted offences are then added together and divided by the corresponding population total. Lastly, the CSI is standardized to 1 for Canada using 26 as a base year. Ultimately, there are three CSIs: one to measure overall crime severity based on the total volume of police-reported Criminal Code and federal statute offences; the second, to measure policereported violent crime; and a third, the non-violent CSI, to measure all crimes not considered violent (Dauvergne et al., 21; Wallace, Turner, Matarazzo & Babyak, 29). Statistics Canada also produces a CSI for offences committed by youth. In 29, the national CSI was 87.2 while New Brunswick s value was 7.7. That year, NB ranked third with respect to the lowest crime severity across all provinces and territories in Canada, including both violent and non-violent crime. New Brunswick s violent CSI was 72. in 29, up 6% from the previous year. The province s non-violent CSI was 7.2 in 29, down 4% from 28. Province and territory Total Crime Severity Index 29 Index Percent change 28 to 29 Violent Crime Severity Index 29 Index Percent change 28 to 29 Non-violent Crime Severity Index 29 Index Percent change 28 to 29 Newfoundland and Labrador Prince Edward Island Nova Scotia New Brunswick Quebec Ontario Manitoba Saskatchewan Alberta British Columbia Yukon Northwest Territories Nunavut Canada Source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics, Uniform Crime Reporting Survey.

17 CRIME STATISTICS IN NEW BRUNSWICK Page 15 In 29, the national Youth Crime Severity Index was 93.7 while New Brunswick s value was That year, NB ranked seventh with respect to the lowest youth crime severity across all provinces and territories in Canada, including both violent and non-violent crime. New Brunswick s violent youth CSI was 89.7 in 29, up 2% from the previous year. The province s non-violent youth CSI was in 29, up 8% from 28. Province and territory Youth Crime Severity Index Youth violent Crime Severity Index 29 Index Percent change 28 to Index Percent change 28 to 29 Youth non-violent Crime Severity Index 29 Index Percent change 28 to 29 Newfoundland and Labrador Prince Edward Island Nova Scotia New Brunswick Quebec Ontario Manitoba Saskatchewan Alberta British Columbia Yukon Northwest Territories Nunavut Canada Note: Refers to youth 12 to 17 years of age who were either charged (or recommended for charging) by police or diverted from the formal criminal justice system through the use of warnings, cautions, referrals to community programs, etc. Source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics, Uniform Crime Reporting Survey. Policing Sevices Branch Department of Public Safety 65 Brunswick Street Fredericton, NB E3B 1G5 Phone: Fax: