THUNDER BAY – Crimebeat – Thunder Bay Police have been busy. Over the past twenty four hour period, police officers responded to 43 calls for service. Issues with alcohol, addiction and the related disturbances topped the list of incidents that police had to respond to.
There were five weapons offences, twenty-three quality of life calls, and eleven assaults recorded on the police record.
Thunder Bay Police Busy
In the downtown north core, there was a sexual assault reported at 04:47EDT on June 16th, in the 200 Block of Park Avenue. At River and College Streets, there was an indecent act at 12:22EDT on June 17th.
Enhanced patrols in the downtown southcore have resulted in fewer incidents of crime over recent days. Informed sources report that patrols both during the day, and into the early morning hours are having a significant impact on crime in the area.
In the south core, there are still issues with alcohol, and with needles being left in the streets.
800,000 Needles Handed Out in Thunder Bay
The Thunder Bay District Health Unit hands out 800,000 needles annually.
There certainly are not 800,000 needles littering the streets of the downtown south core. However quite often large numbers of needles are found all over the streets and sidewalks.
Superior Points can be reached at:
- Rick 625-8831
- Lori 625-7996
- Stuart 625-8830
The team is fast to show up and collect the needles.
However it certainly appears that the increased efforts at crime prevention from Thunder Bay Police are impacting the core area in a positive manner.
While Council has supported increased expenditures on the Eye in the Sky program, the reality is for many front line officers, the cameras are far less effective. The camera quality is not HD, and it can take up to two or three days for officers to be able to access the video.
Today in the south core, tbaytel crews were out doing cleaning and repair to one of the cameras at the corner of May and Victoria.
Eye in the Sky – Effective?
Perhaps in addition to a written report to Council, it would be a positive step for Council to be shown a selection of the video tapes to ensure the quality of images on the video cameras.
Thunder Bay Crime Report