The Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS) Board is reporting a “positive trend” in local safety, suggesting that strategic investments in law enforcement are successfully “holding the line” against rising crime. During a Clarington committee meeting on May 4, Board Chair and Ajax Mayor Shaun Collier provided a statistical update, revealing that while raw numbers of certain offenses have seen slight increases, the actual per capita crime rates in the Durham Region are decreasing when adjusted for the area’s rapid population growth.
According to the preliminary data for 2025 and early 2026, violent crimes in the region rose by 1.5% and property crimes increased by 1%. However, Collier emphasized that these figures do not tell the whole story. “When population increases are factored in, the rate of violent and property crimes per 100,000 actually went down,” he explained. This statistical nuance is central to the DRPS Crime Rate Trends 2026 report, which will be released in full as part of the police service’s annual report in the coming weeks. Collier defended recent budget increases, arguing that the decreasing crime rates are a direct result of hiring more officers and implementing new enforcement structures.
The DRPS Crime Rate Trends 2026 data also highlights significant gains in road safety and bail compliance, particularly in Clarington. Police Chief Peter Moreira reported a 142% increase in compliance checks for individuals out on bail and a major surge in traffic enforcement. Distracted driving tickets saw a staggering 800% increase, while seatbelt violations and aggressive driving tickets rose by 50% and 32%, respectively. Moreira likened policing to essential infrastructure, noting that just as new homes require water and power lines, they also require a proportional increase in police presence to maintain community safety.
Despite the optimistic statistical outlook, the meeting also addressed public concerns regarding police conduct. Councillor Granville Anderson questioned the board on the status of ongoing investigations into officer behavior, specifically citing a recent confrontation involving a lawyer at the Oshawa courthouse. Anderson noted that the public often hears that these incidents are being taken seriously, but rarely sees the eventual consequences. Collier responded that while the board prefers swift resolutions, investigations “take as long as they take,” promising that results will be made public once concluded.
The DRPS Crime Rate Trends 2026 report also touched on collision data, which showed a marginal decrease of 0.7%. In the context of increased traffic volume and a growing population, officials characterized this as a very favorable outcome. The board maintains that continued investment is the only way to ensure these safety metrics do not slip as the Durham Region continues its trajectory toward becoming one of the most populous areas in Ontario.
Residents looking for more granular data can now access the DRPS Community Safety Data Portal. This online tool allows the public to track DRPS Crime Rate Trends 2026 by specific neighborhood and crime category. As the region moves further into 2026, the police service remains focused on balancing high-visibility enforcement with community-based policing to sustain the current downward trend in per capita crime.
