Minister Encouraged by Crime Rate Drop

Justice Minister Murray Scott is encouraged to see Nova Scotia's crime rate has dropped for the second year in a row, and said government is committed to working to reduce it even further. Mr. Scott was responding to a report on 2006 crime statistics released today, July 18, by the Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics.

"Nova Scotia's overall crime rate dropped by two per cent in 2006, following a five per cent drop the year before," said Mr. Scott. "While this is good news, our crime rate is still slightly higher than the national average and we know we have more work to do."

The Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics report shows that Nova Scotia's homicide rate has dropped by 20 per cent, while violent crime is down two per cent overall. Property crime is down two per cent, including a six per cent drop in both break and enters and motor vehicle theft.

The province has introduced several initiatives to help fight crime, including adding 80 new police officers this year, as part of a four-year commitment to add 250 new officers across the province.

Although drug crime rates remained stable, charges relating to specific drugs were up, including a 48 per cent increase in cocaine related charges. The Department of Justice is developing a comprehensive drug strategy in consultation with partner departments and law enforcement agencies. A provincial Public Safety Investigative Unit was put in place earlier this year, and has successfully shut down seven sites of criminal drug activity in response to complaints from the community.

The report shows that youth crime continues to be an area of concern, with a 17 per cent increase in overall youth crime, including a five per cent increase in youth violent crime. As the largest volume of youth crimes occurs in Halifax Regional Municipality, a portion of the increase may be the result of stepped-up efforts by police to charge youth who violate conditions placed on them while they are out on bail.

"Although the vast majority of our young people are not in conflict with the law, these statistics bear out the concerns we heard from the community during consultations by the minister's task force," said Mr. Scott. "It's clear that we need to continue our efforts to address both the root causes of crime and to ensure that strong enforcement measures are in place when they are needed."

The province recently released an update on implementation of the recommendations made by the Nunn Commission, including the introduction of a youth attendance centre and bail supervision programs. A youth strategy is now under development for release this fall. The province continues to lobby the federal government to make improvements to the Youth Criminal Justice Act, to better serve young people and protect the public.

The Department of Justice is also working on a community-based crime prevention and reduction strategy that will be launched in fall 2007.

"We will continue to work with communities and our partners to help make sure crime rates continue to drop, and that people in our province feel safe and secure," said Mr. Scott.