Break-ins at Hamilton businesses skyrocket during COVID-19 state of emergency

There has been a more than 100 per cent increase in break-ins at businesses in Hamilton over the last month, part of a shift in crime trends across the city during the COVID-19 pandemic, police revealed Friday.

The 131 per cent increase in commercial break and enters is one of several types of crime that have jumped, while others, including assaults and some traffic violations, have decreased since a state of emergency was declared in Ontario March 17.

The figures released May 1 are unedited" and are not considered official crime statistics, Hamilton police said. But the preliminary numbers offer a glimpse into how physical distancing and emergency laws have changed people's behaviour in Hamilton.

It's a good temperature check," said deputy chief Frank Bergen.

With many businesses shuttered and people ordered to stay home as much as possible, overall reported crime has decreased about 12.5 per cent in the city.

Bergen also noted that officers have been able to respond to some calls faster and their clearance rate" has gone up.

In some cases, it has been easier for police to find suspects because criminals are still the ones out and about," he said.

The ares of crime that have decreased are:

• Assaults, down 26 per cent;

• Impaired driving, down 22 per cent;

• Auto theft, down 19 per cent;

• Traffic violations, 14 per cent;

• Weapon offences, down 12 per cent;

• Fraud, down 3 per cent;

• Domestics, down 1 per cent.

The areas of crime that have increased are:

• Commercial break and enters, up 131 per cent;

• Stunt driving, up 23 cent;

• Theft from auto, up 1 per cent.

The increase in commercial break and enters is not unexpected.

Police took a look at crime trends over the last five years and this time of year - as the weather warms up - typically sees a significant increase of more than 100 per cent in commercial break-ins. But that has been exaggerated because of COVID-19.

People seem to be taking advantage of or exploiting" shuttered businesses, Bergen said.

Not only are businesses closed, but fewer people are out, which means diminished good people eyes and ears," to call police, he said.

Restaurants, hair salons and retail establishments are the top three being targeted.

In response, police have increased patrols and are working with local BIAs and the Chamber of Commerce. Bergen said police are reminding business owners to be mindful of basic crime prevention through environmental design, such as having good lighting and not displaying valuable goods by the doors.

Another issue with commercial break and enters has been a delay in when they are reported. Whereas before the crime was usually reported in the morning when staff arrived, now it might take a few days, he said.

Police are finding that during break-ins criminals do not feel the same urgency to get out as fast as possible, so in some cases they're doing more damage.

It's always been true that a suspect or group of suspects committing commercial break-ins is likely to hit more than one business in the same area and that continues to be true during COVID-19, Bergen said.

Last month, the BEAR (break, enter, auto theft and robbery) unit charged a 40-year-old man and 39-year-old woman in connection with a string of nine commercial break-ins that targeted businesses on the Hamilton Mountain.

While traffic volumes are down and some type of traffic offences, such as impaired driving, are down, speeding has increased. This includes the 23 per cent increase in stunt driving, which includes speeding over 50 kilometres an hour above the posted limit.

Bergen called this a small percentage of people taking advantage."

In response, police said tickets are up and starting May 4 police are beginning a road safety campaign aimed at speeders and stunt drivers.

Bergen also cautioned against reading too much into some of the other smaller decreases, such as the one per cent decrease in domestics. The number of calls for family troubles" has actually increased and police know a lot of abuse goes unreported.

We cannot rest on our laurels," he said, adding that those numbers are not necessarily a true depiction."

Many groups have warned about risks of increased domestic violence and child abuse as people are increasingly shut at home without the watchful eye of teachers, colleagues and others in the community.

Police also noted that the service has received 1,089 calls related to the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act and issued 34 tickets. Bergen said this shows that officers have been showing a lot of discretion about when to hand out tickets.

Nicole O'Reilly is a Hamilton-based reporter covering crime and justice for The Spectator. Reach her via email: noreilly@thespec.com