By Barb McKay

Kincardine is seeing an increase in domestic violence incidents, according to South Bruce OPP’s new detachment commander.

While the municipality remains one of the safest in Ontario, Insp. Scott Smith told Kincardine council during a presentation during last Wednesday evening’s meeting that an increase in assaults this year is troubling. Last year there were approximately 30 reported assaults. This year that number has climbed to nearly 40.

“Assaults and behaviours are more concerning than anything to me and they are increasing in 2012,” Smith said.

South-Bruce OPP detachment commander Inspector Scott Smith.

Of those, he noted, 40 to 50 per cent of assaults occur in the home. Domestic violence is on the rise.

Thefts and break and enters occurrences are down this year compared to 2011, but there has been a spike in other crimes.

“We’ve taken a significant jump in mischief and vandalism,” Smith said.

Less than 60 incidents were reported in 2011, but so far this year there has been more than 80 reported.

Smith, whose career as a police officer has spanned more than two decades, was most recently detachment commander at Wellington OPP. He took over the role in Kincardine in July, replacing Insp. Bill Klym, who left to join the Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau as a detective inspector.

Smith said finding himself in the position was like a case of déjà vu. He spent six months filling in as detachment commander three years ago. Smith said he’d like to take an approach to crime prevention that more fully involves the community.

“Part of my goal is to work with agencies already in the community to build resistance for offenders,” he said. “So when they come upon an opportunity to commit the crime they are going to be able to resist it.”

Smith said it’s been proven that continually sending repeat offenders to jail isn’t an effective solution. He said he would like to see the detachment work more closely with children to build a trust early and make interaction with police a positive experience. Other initiatives, such as a neighbourhood watch program, will also be explored. Police will also focus on educating the public about how to reduce the risk of becoming a victim of crime by doing things like locking car doors and not leaving valuables in vehicles.