Region is ‘extremely safe’ say police

Roger Varley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

After council was told Monday that there have been more than 100 people killed or injured by guns in Durham Region since 2018, and more than four cars are stolen every day, Durham Region police chief Peter Moreira said that "we live in an extremely safe region."

The chief appeared before council with Karen Fisher, the community representative on the Durham Regional Police Services board, to give an update on policing in the region.

The pair said major concerns for the police service are mental health and road safety. Fisher said that about 10 people a day are apprehended under the Mental Health Act, but police officers themselves face mental health pressures. Chief Moreira, noting that trauma can see officers off duty for various periods of time, said DRPS has a number of programs designed to help officers return to work. He added that civilian staff, such as 911 operators, also experience mental health trauma as a result of some of the calls for assistance that they receive.

Moreira said "all officers" are engaged in road safety, adding: "I wish I had more officers."

After councillor Willie Popp said he would like to see better communication between police and the community, Moreira said it is often difficult to share information with the public because of privacy and policy issues. Councillor Zed Pickering said he would like to see a police presence at more community events, but Moreira said he is limited by a finite number of resources. He noted that there are 14 officers at the North Durham headquarters on Highway 12 in Scugog, but additional support can be added quickly when needed.