Collisions up significantly in 2nd quarter of 2021, compared to 2020

Key statistics in the second quarter of 2021 tell the story of how Delta is faring in comparison to the early months of the pandemic in 2020. The biggest differences are in the numbers of collisions and tickets, with greater traffic on our roads.

Collisions are up 76% in Q2, 2021, compared to April-June in 2020, with 274, compared to 156 at this time last year. Police enforcement of traffic violations is also up significantly, with 2,666 violation tickets handed out from April-June 2021, compared to 1,003 in 2020. Year to date violation tickets are up 58% overall. Police focus ticketing efforts on areas with high collisions, and also in response to public complaints, such as speeding through school zones.

Thefts from vehicles surged in the second quarter compared to the first quarter of 2020, up 15% over last year with 203 instances, compared to 176.

“While the traditional thefts of tools, wallets and phones etc is captured in the Theft from Auto category, what’s noteworthy now is the surge in thefts of catalytic converters,” explains Deputy Chief Harj Sidhu, head of Community Policing for Delta Police. “This is an issue across the region, with the salvage price of metal in the exhaust emission control device considered high.” He points out that although there are no scrap metal yards in Delta, police here are still working on a number of initiatives to try to prevent this type of property theft.

Violent crimes are up 5% year to date in 2021, with that increase being seen most in the second quarter, with 197 offences versus 179 during Q2 2020. “This has primarily been an increase in assaults, typically between people known to one another, as well as uttering threats and criminal harassment,” explains Deputy Chief Sidhu.

Nearly a third of assaults during this time frame involved drugs and/or alcohol. Deputy Chief Sidhu notes that 30% of the assaults involved weapons, a factor police must take into consideration when determining how to respond to such calls.

Commercial Break and Enters are down significantly in the second quarter, with just 33 versus 40 from the same time last year. This category of offence is down 10% year to date. Residential break and enters are down 19% overall this year, but up in the second quarter, with 32 in 2021 Q2, versus 28 from the same time last year.

Looking ahead over the next few months, Deputy Chief Sidhu urges residents to continue to be vigilant about safeguarding property – securing garage doors and windows before going to sleep – and removing all valuables from their vehicles, including garage door openers. If possible vehicles should be parked in locked garage, or an area with lights, to discourage catalytic converter thefts.