But, with this relatively good news comes a dose of sobering news. Chief McLaren reports that common assaults, a number that includes domestic violence, have increased steadily over the past five years in the city. In 1998 there were 528 reported assaults, 600 in 1999, 619 in 2000, 641 in 2001 and 374 from Jan-July in 2002 so far.

When it comes to the increase in domestic violence Chief McLaren points to social and economic pressures as a potential cause. The attitude of 'keeping up with the Jones' often leads to domestic violence, he said.

Chief McLaren said that there are so many social pressures at this time that this often spills over into our families and into the community. "Economic instability - the peaks and valleys here - make it difficult for people to cope," he said.

The chief was responding to the statistical outlook of violent crime rates in Peterborough over the last five years. "I sit back and I look at it and we all have families and we all want to provide well for them," he said.

"But sometimes younger people, in particular, want things today," he explained.
The chief said the attitude of increasing material desires creates pressures in families and communities.

"We use the plastic [credit cards] and sometimes that catches up with people" from the standpoint of building pressures, the chief said.

Chief McLaren also said there has been a increase in the occurrences of assault and sexual assault, he says, because there is an increasing lack of respect within society.

Between 1998 and 2001, sexual assaults have ranged between 63 and 83 incidents per year. There have been 47 incidents so far in 2002, up until July.

Occurrences with weapons, other than firearms, (knives, bats, etc) were more common, with 59 incidences.

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