Alcohol Fuelled Calls Top Crime Blotter in Thunder Bay
THUNDER BAY – Crime – Thunder Bay’s first homicide of 2014 will likely top the crime headlines today. However over the past twenty-four hours, Thunder Bay Police have remained very busy.
There were twenty-two Quality of Life calls responded to by officers on January 25, 2014. That included two drug related calls, five disorder calls, and 15 alcohol related calls. In addition there were seven assaults and one sexual assault. As usual alcohol calls are a major component of the crime calls that come into police.
Over the course of a year, Thunder Bay Police respond to thousands of calls. In an average twenty-four hour period, police are called to between 150 to 200 call for service. Those totals are bigger especially during long-weekends in the summer. Over the course of a year, police are responding to thousands of calls related to alcohol.
Thunder Bay Police Calls For Service
Over the course of a year, one of the largest demands on Thunder Bay Police are calls related to alcohol or rather to alcohol abuses. The number of assaults, and even homicides that happen in the city which have an alcohol fuelled starting point make that figure even higher.
More Alcohol Calls than Toronto
Thunder Bay actually responds to more alcohol related calls than the City of Toronto Police Service. 5,695 calls for service reported to Thunder Bay Police works out to about 16 calls per day.
The cost, even if officers were only engaged with that call for an hour starts adding up. The cost in other not so easily calculated figures including impact on families is massive.
That speaks to a call for action. The Alcohol and Gaming Commission (AGCO), is responsible, along with the OPP and the City of Thunder Bay Police. The AGCO has added an additional inspection officer, and are stepping up their efforts to ensure that licenced establishments are following all of the required rules.
However that is only a part of the task. Education over enforcement should be a part of the solution. Part of that is having people in Northwestern Ontario and Thunder Bay taking a more responsible attitude toward alcohol use.
There are many efforts underway, some with the Shelter House, and others with groups designed to assist people struggling with alcoholism.
Clearly there needs to be more engagement in those efforts.
