West Nipissing continues to enjoy a low crime severity index based on recently released figures from Statistics Canada.
The 2013 figures are the lowest in the past three years at 34.9, down from 47.4 in 2012 and 45.7 the year before that. The levels continue to be below the provincial and national figures.
"It's telling us we have a safe community, and has been for some time," remarked Police Chief Chuck Seguin.
The crime severity index is calculated through a matrix that gives different values to various offences based on how serious they are. The rate incorporates the severity of the crime and the number of reports received. The higher the number, the greater the severity of crime issues in the community.
"It tells me the things we are doing is a deterrent to criminals. It's good news community-wide," added Seguin.
Of the 304 communities with a population over 10,000, West Nipissing is ranked 260, indicating only 44 other communities have a lower number.
Although there is a slight downward trend, the basic number of incidents reported to police, is relatively smaller compared to other communities.
Therefore, one rash of less serious crimes or a few very serious incidents in any given year can easily spike the data.
One crime that the Chief is noticing an uptrend in is fraud.
"We certainly see more internet fraud calls. Technology is the new tool."
Twenty years ago the favorite scam was the bank inspector asking a customer to withdraw money to catch a thieving teller. All that has changed.
Years ago they had to do it face to face.
"Now, it's more anonymous," added Seguin. "They're hiding behind a keyboard and computer screen."
