Crime in St. Laurent largely down: report

By Joel Goldenberg, October 10th, 2012

Crime in the borough of St. Laurent is down in most categories for the period from April to August of this year, compared to the same time last year, according to the latest report presented at last week's borough council meeting by Station 7 police commander Éric La Penna.
Thefts in the category covering people, banks and businesses went down, on average, 3.17 percent, with 61 incidents in 2012 compared to 63 last year.
More specifically, thefts from persons remained the same for the two time periods, with 37 incidents in 2011 and 2012. Thefts from local banks went down the most - 87.5 percent - as only one robbery took place this year compared to eight in 2011.
However, thefts from businesses went up 50 percent, from 12 incidents in 2011 to 18 this year. Thefts in other categories went down 16.67 percent, from six to five incidents.
Sexual aggression went down in general 50 percent, from 32 to 16 incidents. More specifically, there were no armed or grave incidents either year, but in the category of simple assaults, the number dropped from 28 to 13. In other categories, the number declined from four to three incidents.
In terms of thefts involving motor vehicles overall, the number increased 4.3 percent, from 651 to 679 incidents. Thefts of cars increased from 278 to 292, while thefts of material in cars increased 23.4 percent, from 282 to 348 incidents. In other categories involving motor vehicles, there was a reduction of thefts from 91 to 39.
Break-ins went down 8.41 percent in general, from 333 to 305 incidents. More specifically, break-ins involving homes dropped from 204 to 163 incidents, while break-ins into businesses increased from 110 to 122. Break-ins in other categories increased from 19 to 20.
La Penna said police efforts in terms of traffic enabled a general reduction of accidents - however, one person was killed during the April to August 2012 time period, compared to two last year. Accidents involving injuries increased from 167 to 180, those involving material damage  went down from 310 to 234, those involving hit and runs fell from 716 to 633 and those involving impaired driving went up from 30 to 45.n