NCJ Number
80770
Date Published
Unknown
Length
87 pages
Annotation
This report discusses the activities and achievements of the law enforcement and public safety programs administered by the Ontario Ministry of the Solicitor General in Canada during 1980.
Abstract
The various roles of the Ministry include legal services, policy development, strategic planning, management systems, police liaison, communications policy, auditing, human resources, and administration. The Ministry's programs described in this report include the Ontario Police Commission, the Ontario Provincial Police, the Ontario Police Arbitration Commission, and the Public Safety Division. Components of the Public Safety Division discussed are the office of the assistant deputy minister, the chief coroner's office, forensic pathology, emergency planning, and others. Graphic data show trends in offenses and motor vehicle accidents in Ontario for the past 5 years, evidence of police strength and budget, police college training statistics, the number of fire crimes and deaths, and other related events. The data indicate that crime has increased by approximately 10 percent. Crimes of violence, excluding homicide, increased by 14 percent, and crimes against property were up by 13 percent. The most surprising increases were in breaking and entering of residences, up 25 percent, and thefts from automobiles, up by 20 percent over the previous year. Citizen awareness and participation in the fight against crime is generally accepted as a major factor in containing the growth of criminal activity. Numerous tables and graphs are included.