Written By Olena Riznyk
NORTH MIDDLESEX – At its July 16 meeting, council received the 2024 Middlesex OPP Detachment Board Annual Report, presented as part of a province-wide commitment to transparent policing under the Community Safety and Policing Act.
The report shows that violent crime in the detachment area rose from 251 incidents in 2023 to 281 in 2024, with an overall clearance rate of 71.17 per cent. Assaults and firearm-related offences increased to 139 cases, while sexual offences declined to 43. Property crimes saw a significant decrease, from 869 incidents in 2023 to 661 in 2024, but clearance rates for break-and-enters (17.65 per cent) and thefts under $5,000 (11.63 per cent) remain low.
The detachment continued its focus on illicit drug enforcement, reporting 42 drug offences in 2024. Seizures included illegal substances, weapons, and offence-related property. Police emphasized that enforcement is coupled with connecting individuals struggling with addiction to treatment services, often through the Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT).
Cybercrime remains a priority, with the Community Services Officer delivering targeted presentations to vulnerable groups on online fraud, scams, and safe social media use. Officers also receive ongoing training through internal cybercrime bulletins to maintain investigative skills.
Traffic enforcement intensified in 2024, with 11,326 offence notices issued – a 24.2 per cent increase over 2023 – and 1,444 traffic summonses. The detachment continued to target the “Big Four” collision factors: aggressive driving, impaired driving, distracted driving, and lack of seatbelt use.
Motor vehicle collisions increased to 1,640 property-damage incidents and 199 non-fatal injury collisions. Fifteen people were killed in the detachment area in 2024, including 14 in roadway crashes and one in an off-road vehicle incident. Speed-related crashes rose to 246, and inattentive-related collisions to 214.
Focused patrols addressed specific concerns such as school bus safety and collision spikes on Highway 401 during construction. Collaboration with the Ministry of Transportation and contractors reduced monthly collision totals in the construction zone.
The MCRT – pairing an officer with a mental health clinician – remains a cornerstone of the detachment’s well-being strategy, responding to individuals in crisis and conducting follow-up visits. New transfer-of-care protocols with hospitals have been implemented to reduce wait times when officers bring individuals in crisis for treatment.
Community engagement included fraud-prevention seminars, “Lock It or Lose It” campaigns, Pride Month participation, a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation ceremony, and local food drives.
A new initiative targeting outstanding arrest warrants led to a 54 per cent reduction locally. The Offender Management Apprehension Program and Bail Compliance Program remain in use to monitor high-risk individuals.
