The severity of crimes committed in Woodstock is on the decline. That's according to a report released Thursday by the Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics. The Overall Crime Severity Rating indicates the frequency and severity of local reported crime has been reduced by 8.3% since 2010. Woodstock Police Chief Rod Freeman says their was a notable reduction in the severity of both violent and nonviolent crimes such as property crimes in the City. "The report also reflects that the overall weighted clearance rate is consistant at 40 percent which is also good news and we have seen a significant increase of 9.1 percent in clearing crimes of violence." Freeman says there are a few reasons he believes the numbers are dropping. "We've got a justice system that works very well although there are a few problems with it still, in comparison to justice systems right around the globe, we've got probably the best justice system in the world and also I think it's a combination of a terrific working relationship between police forces around the country and our citizens." "We're very pleased. Anytime we can see statistics that support the fact that our community is becoming a safer community, that's something we celebrate around here but we also recognize there is still work to do. We still have people out there being victimized from time to time and we have to work very diligently to catch those offenders and get them before the courts." Freeman says this is positive news for the City but police will continue to refine some of their crime prevention initiatives to ensure the numbers continue to drop.
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