(Quinte News File Photo: Nicole Kleinsteuber)
The spike in violent crimes in the city is concerning to the Belleville Police Service and they will be putting more resources into addressing issues like street crime.
As we reported earlier this week, Statistics Canada lists Belleville’s violent crime index for last year at 91, up almost 24% from 2014 keeping on par with a national trend. Across Canada, the violent crime index last year was 74, also up, but not as dramatically, from 2014.
Staff Sergeant Sherri Meeks explained the main reason for the bump was one homicide and 35 robberies in the city in 2015.
Meeks said education is key and they will be putting out bulletins that offer tips like being aware of your surroundings. She adds there is some good news out of the index too.
Belleville’s violent crime index had been trending lower since a peak of 113 back in 2011.
