Police third quarter statistical report sees decrease in calls for service

Kingston Police Chief Scott Fraser has released his third quarter statistical report in advance of the Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024 meeting of the Police Service Board.

Overall calls for service totalled 12,975 in the July-September quarter, down 296 or 2.25 per cent from the 13,271 that occurred during the third quarter last year.

Crimes against persons decreased by 4.5 percent this quarter compared to a year ago. Sex offences, in particular, are down from 48 in 2023 to 26 in 2024, a 59 per cent difference quarter over quarter.

Crimes against property, on the other hand, have increased by 3.5 per cent.

A 15 per cent increase in vehicle thefts, combined with other increases in theft (five per cent), fraud (19 per cent), and mischief (five per cent), were contributing factors.

Fraser notes, as always, that caution should be exercised when interpreting these statistics. They represent a snapshot in time and are subject to change, as they relate to ongoing investigations. In some cases, it may be determined that the classification of a crime must be recoded (for example, from “Criminal Harassment” to “Harassing Phone Calls”), thus altering the numbers.

Use-of-force statistics capture all use-of-force options exercised by all responding officers. 

In the third quarter of 2024 there were a total of 16 incidents, for which 10 team and 10 individual reports were filed. (For team reports, one report is filed for multiple officers, and multiple types of force can be used during one incident.) This total is 55 per cent lower than last year's 28 incidents, for which 13 team and 16 individual reports were filed. 

Fraser further notes that de-escalation was attempted in 14 of the reports. In the five reports where it was not attempted, he writes, “de-escalation was either not possible due to immediate action being required or imminent threat, or not being applicable (dispatch of an animal).”

Except for one call regarding an injured animal, Fraser states that all incidents involved subjects who were assaultive, armed or suspected to be armed with weapons, and/or subject to the execution of a warrant. During most incidents, more than one use-

of-force-option was used. 

Fraser will present this report at the Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024 meeting of the Kingston Police Service Board. The board holds a regular meeting on the third Thursday of each month, commencing at 12:00 noon in the William Hackett Boardroom at Kingston Police Headquarters (705 Division Street) unless otherwise indicated on the agenda. (Note that this month's meeting is on the second Thursday.) In addition, special meetings are called as required.