Most crimes down in Delta
Crime in Delta is dropping dramatically in some areas, according to recently released statistics.
Commercial break and enters and auto theft both dropped 25 per cent in the first 11 months of 2010, compared to the same period the year before.
Fatal motor vehicle accidents declined from eight to two during that period, representing a 75-per-cent plunge from the year prior.
Assaults dropped by 16 per cent, going from 108 to 91 during the months of comparison.
However sexual assaults shot up 65 per cent, going from 26 to 43 in the first 11 months of last year.
Delta Police Chief Jim Cessford said that's because of some high-profile arrests that brought forward multiple complaints against a few perpetrators.
"We made the arrests and other people (who had been victimized) came forward," Cessford said. "We saw some historical things come back since we made the arrest, and that's a good thing."
Cessford said he's concerned about theft from motor vehicles, which was up 10 per cent.
"That's one thing we're going to be working on," he said.
One of the potential weapons against car theft is a new Block Watch program being tested in North Delta.
There are currently 10 Block Watch programs in North Delta, but 16 more are being created this month (January) and seven more are in limbo while awaiting new captains.
In all, Cessford is pleased with the statistics, because they show improvement and identify areas that can be improved.
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