Homicide rates rise dramatically in Lower Mainland

Homicide rates across the Lower Mainland are up considerably in the first half of 2012 compared to the same period last year.

Insp. Kevin Hackett, who heads the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team, said Tuesday that IHIT started 19 new files involving 23 slayings between January and June this year, up considerably from 13 killings in the same period in 2011.

And Hackett said more of those slayings appear to be linked to organized crime than in the previous year.

"For that same period last year, of 13 murders, two we could argue were organized crime-related. This year, we have got eight that are organized crime-related. So that is an increase of 300 per cent," Hackett said.

IHIT - an integrated squad consisting of RCMP officers and some municipal police - investigates murders in all Lower Mainland RCMP jurisdictions, as well as in New Westminster and Abbotsford.

Vancouver police investigate murders within the city limits and are also contracted by Port Moody and West Vancouver to do their murder files. The Delta municipal police force handles its own murders.

IHIT has had success get-ting charges laid in some high-profile gang murder cases like the Surrey Six slayings and the United Nations gang case. Both are expected to proceed to trial this fall.

Hackett said the task is challenging, but that there is better regional coordination between agencies than there once was.

"We just have to be vigilant and continue the efforts that we are making," he said. "We are definitely all working more closely together, which is a positive sign. We have good working relationships with [Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit] and other partners in the region."

Asked if more resources are needed, Hackett said, "We have to work with what we've got. I think we have to be smarter and be more creative with the resources that we have."

Statistics Canada released 2011 crime stats Tuesday showing that the murder rate was up in B.C. by four per cent over 2010, despite an overall reduction in the crime rate to near record lows.

The statistics also showed that attempted murders in B.C. were up three per cent in 2011, to 79 attacks.

Statistics Canada said in its report that "despite annual fluctuations, the murder rate has generally been declining since peaking in the mid-1970s."

Manitoba had the highest murder rate in the country for the fifth consecutive year in 2011, with Winnipeg being the most violent city.

Violence is subsiding in Abbotsford, which had the dubious distinction of being Canada's murder capital back in 2008 and 2009. "2011 was a great year for us," Const. Ian MacDonald said. "Any time you can have zero murders, that is the definition of a good year for the former murder capital of Canada two years running."

Vancouver police Const. Lindsey Houghton said the murder rate is down so far in 2012 with just five new files to date.

In 2011, there were 15 murders, up from just nine in 2010, "an all-time record low."

"Violent crime overall is down almost six per cent in the city this year, year to date, com-pared to last year," Houghton said.

kbolan@vancouversun.com

Blog: vancouversun.com/therealscoop Twitter.com/kbolan

© (c) CanWest MediaWorks Publications Inc.

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