Provincial Police in Kenora say 2017 was one of the most violent they’ve seen since taking over policing the city.
Inspector Jeff Duggan says the introduction of crystal meth in the community is the big reason behind the spike in assaults and sexual assaults last year.
He stresses more services and treatment facilities are needed in our communities to meet the demand of the drug.
Duggan says the use of crystal meth is behind a rise in violent crime in Kenora and is now being seen in Dryden.
Duggan is hoping to piggy back on funding announcements made in Manitoba or receive help from the Ontario government.
He is responding to an article in Maclean’s Magazine that had Kenora listed as the 31st most violent city in Canada.
Duggan notes this year, the number of assaults and sexual assaults are actually down quite a bit from the year before, and he’s hoping Kenora won’t make the 2019 list.
