News release

Province, Police Address Homicide Stats

Justice

The province, police and Halifax Regional Municipality are working together to reduce crime.

The overall crime rate for the province declined seven per cent and the crime severity index, the seriousness of the crimes committed, was down five per cent, according to figures released in July by the Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics. Both have declined by more than 20 per cent since peaking in 2004.

However, 18 of the province's 22 homicides were in Halifax Regional Municipality which, with Edmonton and Winnipeg, had the highest rate of firearm homicide per population in 2011. There were seven firearm homicides in Halifax, 13 in Edmonton and eight in Winnipeg.

Justice Minister Ross Landry met with the new HRM mayor Mike Savage and new Halifax Regional Police Chief Jean-Michel Blais recently to discuss how to best combat crime in the municipality.

"I am very concerned about these statistics, and I know Mayor Savage and Chief Blais share my concern. As a former police officer, however, I know there are no quick fixes," said Mr. Landry.

"We talked about how we need to work together to address the root causes of crime, and work with the community to solve those crimes that have taken place."

Mr. Landry said police and the province are doing good work to reduce crime and keep communities safer. The Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods program, for example, allows police to target properties that are habitually used for criminal purposes, and make neighbourhoods safer.

The province has also introduced crime analysts for each region across Nova Scotia to research criminal trends and patterns and help police develop strategies to combat them.

Police have laid charges in 10 of the 18 homicides in HRM in 2011. Three other cases were closed after investigators concluded the perpetrator was either deceased or not criminally responsible. The others are still under investigation.

"Crime in Halifax Regional Municipality in 2011 wasn't the norm. We experienced an escalation in the level of violence, which is alarming for everyone," said Chief Blais. "The number of homicides has declined significantly so far this year, which indicates our approach is working."

There have been 10 homicides so far in HRM this year. Of those, six cases have been concluded and four remain under investigation.

Halifax Regional Police and RCMP initiatives include a guns and gangs strategy, targeted crime analysis, monitoring people out on court conditions, and enhanced downtown patrols.

Police are also reminding the public their help is needed to fight crime.

"When people come forward to work with police, regardless of the crime, we are successful in making arrests and laying charges," said acting Chief Supt. Frank Foran, Halifax district RCMP. "We saw this recently with major homicide investigations being solved.

"The reality is that it will be challenging to rise above this level of violent crime without the community standing united with police in an effort to make HRM the safest place to live."

For more information on the province's approach to prevent and reduce crime in 2012-13, visit www.gov.ns.ca/just .