Police Leaders Release New Study on Break-and-Enters

14 June 2006

A new study released today by the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) into the psychological, emotional, and financial impact on victims of residential break-and-enters (B&Es) underscores the serious nature of this type of property crime from the victim's perspective. It also confirms the need for new legislation to help police reunite victims with their property.

"Every officer who has responded to a residential break-and-enter has seen first hand the devastating impact these types of property crimes have on victims," said Chief Dan Parkinson (Cornwall Police Service), OACP's Secretary-Treasurer and member of the association's Victim's Assistance Committee. "This report, entitled Residential Break-and-Enter - Exploring Victim Impact, shows the anger, fear, guilt, anxiety and sadness that a B&E produces in victims."

In 2003, the London Police Service's Family Consultant/Victim Services Unit, Peel Regional Police's Crime Prevention Unit and the Ontario Provincial Police undertook a descriptive research initiative to explore the impact of residential break-and-enters on victims. To date, little research has been conducted on how break-and-enters impact victims. Residential Break-and-Enter - Exploring Victim Impact will be used to assist police services in developing better victim services programs tailored to the needs of B&E victims.

The study found significant financial consequences - including the costs victims must incur to repair damage done to their homes by criminals - and that there is a need for new legislation to govern pawnbrokers and second-hand shops in Ontario as a tool in police efforts to reunite victims with their property.

"Many victims told us that they would applaud the use of centralized provincial or national databases to register all goods - both as a means to expedite the return of their property and as a potential deterrent for offenders," said OACP President Chief Armand La Barge. "We will continue to work with the Ontario government to address the need for legislation that helps police return stolen property to crime victims."

The Ontario Association of

Chiefs of Police is the voice of

Ontario's Police Leaders,

representing the 30,000 sworn

and civilian members of police

services across the Province.

For further information: Joe Couto, Director of Government Relations and Communications, T. (416) 926-0424 ext. 22, C. (416) 575-1731, E. jcouto@oacp.on.ca

Source: newswire

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