While crime numbers general decreased from April to June, a hike in sexual assault cases remains a concern for local OPP.
"Everything else has been reduced, this was expected because of COVID and people staying inside," said Joseph Evans, inspector and acting detachment commander, talking Monday to members of the Midland Police Services Board (PSB).
He said he could not provide an explanation for why sexual assaults during the second quarter of the year went up to eight, as compared to four during the same time period last year.
"It's the comfort of the victim to speak up to the police," said Evans. "It's looked at as a positive because we can make sure the crime is investigated."
Addressing the traffic stats in the report, he said, April numbers were lower because of reduced traffic on roads due to the pandemic.
"In May, the HTA (Highway Traffic Act) numbers went up significantly, because officers were getting used to dealing with the pandemic and exercising the use of their PPE (personal protective equipment)," said Evans. "In June, officers were taking their vacatioms, so we didn't have the 12 officers on patrol and were down to eight. They're still doing great work, it's just taking away sets of eyes."
The same trend is seen in charges related to speeding, seatbelt, impaired, and distracted driving, he said, noting that officers assigned school patrol were redeployed to increase the amount of police presence throughout the community.
Board member Judith Clapperton inquired about the increase in noise complaints.
"Just curious about the noise complaints, which went to 104 compared to three in the same quarter last year," she said.
Evans said it's all COVID-related.
"The noise complaints were captured under COVID complaints, due to people coming together," he said.
Deputy Mayor Mike Ross had a question about a different kind of noise complaint.
"We get a lot of complaints about the noise of vehicles," he said. "Is it indeed an issue and what's the protocol?"
Evans admitted it's an issue and that officers have been ticketing vehicles with improper or modified exhausts.
"One thing we're been having difficulty with is motorcycles, which are probably the loudest with open pipes," he said. "I've issued several tickets to motorcycles only to lose them later in court because you have to prove that the baffle has been removed from the pipe."
The officers would have to seize the bike to take it a mechanic to have it checked to hold up the charge in court, said Evans.
"For $110, we just stop them and ask them to reduce their throttle when they go through town and crack it open when they go through farm country," he said, "then we have a better chance of getting them for speeding."
Ross also asked about traffic concerns on the town's side streets and thanked the inspector for the OPP's quick response in one case.
"They had a police car parked right across the street from St. Mark's Church, it seemed to help slow down traffic," said Ross, who also inquired about vehicle sticker validity.
"Are they still going to get pulled over if they have an April sticker?" said Ross. "I've been asked a few times so I thought I'd ask you while I had you here."
Evans said the Ministry of Transportation has extended the stickers from March until June.
The ministry's website says, "Products that expired on or after March 1, 2020, have an extended expiry date until further notice. We will notify you when it is time to renew."
Evans said since the MTO branches have now opened up, people can try and renew their stickers in-person or get it done online.
"We are not supposed to ticket," he added. "If they are ticketed, they can go to court and have it cancelled."
David Denault, the town's chief administrative officer, also joined the conversation to thank the inspector.
"As we continue to move through this new world and open up things, vigilance of the enforcement community throughout the town is even more important," said Denault. "Thank you for everything you're doing. I just wanted to reinforce our appreciation for the collaboration with your folks and what you're doing to keep us all safe. And your support in allowing people to demonstrate safely."
Evans said he would pass along the message to the officers.
"I can't take any of the kudos," he said. "I have to pass it onto the troops. They're the ones out there doing the job day and night."