A sharp spike in property crime pushed up the overall crime rate in Shelburne last year, despite significant drops in reported violence and “other” criminal matters.
There were 268 property crimes — arson, break-and-enter, theft, fraud, mischief, etc. — brought to the attention of officers during 2007, according to Shelburne Police Service’s recently released annual report. That’s up 44.9 per cent from the year before.
“It’s a little concerning,” Chief Kent Moore says of the rise in property crimes. “We had a significant increase in thefts from motor vehicles in 2007, from unlocked motor vehicles.”
The clearance rate for property crimes rose accordingly (from 22 to 40.4 per cent), with the laying of 68 charges and 39 occurrences resolved with by other means.
“For property crimes, its way above the provincial average,” the chief remarks. “It’s a tougher crime for police to solve — no witnesses, most are committed at night ... when most people are home in bed.”
Overall, there were 436 crimes reported to Shelburne police last year, up from 373 (16.9 per cent more). In both 2005 and 2006 the department saw a nine per cent decrease.
There were 417 charges laid in 2007, including 186 against youths, a rise of nearly 100. Most of those, Moore notes, are attributable to property crimes.
Seventy-nine reports of violent crimes were taken, down from 87. They resulted in 48 charges and 26 were cleared by other means, for a 94.9 per cent clearance rate.
Most “other” criminal offences — bail violations, counterfeit currency, disturbing the peace, threatening, etc. — were also cleared in 2007. Charges were laid in 21 of the 52 allegations, with 23 others otherwise handled by police for a total clearance rate of 86.3 per cent.
At 37, the number of reported drug crimes remained unchanged from 2006. The clearance rate was 81.1 per cent, up from 67.6 per cent.
Moore credits the increased clearance rates to his front-line officers and the support of the community.
“I am extremely pleased with the clearance rates,” he says. “All criminal matters, to the Shelburne police, are of high importance. We believe nobody should be a victim of crime, so all offences are taken seriously.”
Traffic continues to be a major focus for Shelburne police, the chief adds, explaining a study shows an average of 18,000 vehicles pass through Shelburne every day — 50,000 on the weekends.
Despite the high traffic flow, there were only 100 motor vehicle collisions recorded last year; eight involved personal injuries, none were fatal.
“It shows we certainly have traffic as a priority and address concerns in that area,” says Moore. “Our front-line officers play a key role in maintaining traffic safety.”
Police handed out 1,554 charges for violations of the Highway Traffic Act. The vast majority of those, all but 218, related to speeding.

Crimes reported in Shelburne, 2007:
37 assaults, down 19
4 sexual offences, down 14
47 other violent crimes, up 9
60 domestic assaults, up 7
1,805 provincial offences, up 85
37 drug charges, unchanged
97 theft, up 68
56 mischief, up 42
20 fraud, up 18
100 motor vehicle collisions, up 28

Youth crime charges, 2007:
37 possession of stolen property, up 34
40 theft, up 34
14 drugs, up 3
15 breach of a court order, down 12
80 other criminal code violations, up 54