Crime trending downward in Brant County, OPP reports

Casandra Turnbull

Managing Editor

Property crime is trending downward in the County of Brant in 2026, a sign local OPP officials attribute to targeted enforcement, proactive crime prevention and stronger community engagement.

The positive outlook was shared as the County of Brant OPP Detachment Board presented its 2025 Annual Report to the Administration and Operations Committee on July 21. The report highlighted policing initiatives and statistical trends from 2025, while Inspector Jason McTaggart also provided councillors with an update on crime trends seen during the first half of 2026. 

Before the presentation, Board Chair Jennifer Haley pointed to one success story from the Brant OPP Youth Academy.

"We have a cadet in the detachment that is a graduate of the youth academy so that program is paying out dividends," said Haley.

She also reminded councillors to encourage residents to report concerns directly to police.

"If you do have constituents calling you for various issues in community please ensure they call the non-emergency OPP line. If they don't call it in we don't know about it." She shared the phone number with councillors: 1-888-310-1122.

McTaggart presented an overview of the report, noting recent crime trends have been encouraging.

"I'm proud to say over the last few months, including the most recent report I'll be giving to the board next week, we are seeing a downward trend in property crime. So that's a positive on our end as well."

The annual report notes that while property crime increased slightly in 2025 to 679 occurrences from 656 the previous year, it remained well below the 827 incidents recorded in 2023. Overall the numbers in the last three months of this year are trending downward. Break and enters declined for a third consecutive year, falling from 104 incidents in 2023 to 67 in 2025, while mischief offences also decreased. The report attributes those improvements to targeted patrols, community education and focused enforcement in identified problem areas. 

Coun. John Bell said the report paints a much different picture than what is often portrayed on social media.

"I'm pleased to see we have reduction overall in crime statistics, which being an optimist, I see that as very positive. It runs a little counter to commentary you see on social media that states the county is becoming less safe. Can you comment on that," asked Bell.

McTaggart responded, "Individuals sometimes have perceptions that are misinformed. But as you can see from our report that is not the case here in Brant County. We are doing our very best and we are seeing positive outcomes."

Bell also questioned a reported 15 per cent decline in frontline policing hours since 2023 while noting the County's population has grown by roughly five per cent over the same period.

"I'm sure there's something behind those statistics."

McTaggart explained the apparent reduction reflects changes in how officer activity is recorded rather than a reduction in policing services.

"Absolutely so you may see a reduction in those traditional frontline hours I can sure you that is not the case. Our current service delivery model provides us with opportunity to capture what we are doing more efficiently so those frontline hours are being capture a different way."

Coun. David Miller asked which crimes continue to present the greatest challenge locally.

McTaggart said property crime and fraud remain the most common concerns but noted recent improvements in both areas.

"Traditionally it is property crime and frauds. But I am pleased to say over last few months we are seeing a decrease in both due to work of the detachment's community street crimes unit.” He stated the community safety nights and increased senior education sessions that media officer and auxiliary unit hosts, particularly those one on ones with the community, are helping.

The annual report echoes that assessment, noting fraud remained one of the most prevalent property offences in 2025 with 179 reported occurrences. Police have responded through specialized investigations, digital evidence-gathering tools, public education campaigns and partnerships with provincial and federal agencies. 

The report also outlines several other positive policing trends from 2025, including:

Violent crime decreased by more than 21 per cent, dropping from 242 incidents in 2024 to 191 in 2025. 

Assaults and firearm-related offences declined from 112 to 94 incidents. 

Sexual offences fell from 36 to 28 occurrences. 

Failure-to-comply offences decreased by 19 per cent. 

Victim service referrals increased to 878, with a higher percentage of victims accepting support services. 

Traffic safety also remained a major focus.

According to the report, officers laid 4,691 Highway Traffic Act charges and 205 Criminal Code traffic charges in 2025 while concentrating enforcement on speeding, impaired driving, distracted driving and seatbelt compliance. Despite an increase in impaired driving charges and alcohol-related collisions, the detachment reported zero alcohol- or drug-related fatal collisions during the year. 

Coun. Jennifer Kyle asked about the return of police programming in schools after a period when officers were no longer regularly present.

"You mentioned the program that's in the school and I know there was a period of time a couple years ago where the police programs were not allowed to be in the schools but now they're back so I'm wondering what the reception has been from local schools to that program."

McTaggart said the reception has been overwhelmingly positive.

"Our school resource officer PC Vitalis has always had an open invitation at the GEDSB and his engagement with the student is invaluable in my opinion. Month over month he provides a report to me that I share with the board on those programs and activities he's delivering in the school. And again, it's overwhelmingly successful from a relationship building piece from the school itself and the impact we are seeing from Constable Vitalis."

He added the officer's presence is helping address issues before they escalate, highlighting an extreme payoff in youth engagement and support.

"He's able to mitigate some youth related matters that could end up in the criminal justice system.” The annual report highlights youth engagement as one of the detachment's strategic priorities. The Brant OPP Youth Academy enrolled more than 20 high school students in 2025, while the detachment also celebrated the return of its School Resource Officer through the Grand Erie District School Board's Police Resource Outreach Supporting Education (PROSE) program.