Calls for service at 8 District, which covers Grimsby, Lincoln and West Lincoln, may have been up in 2007, but there was also another important increase in the year-end review.

With the addition of two new detectives covering 8 District, the Criminal Investigation Branch and uniform officers have teamed up to bring the overall clearance rate of reported crimes in 8 District up to 38 per cent.

"The clearance rate has increased by almost 17 per cent over 2006 for the year 2007," said Bleich, who is division commander for 8 District.

Bleich gives much credit to the detectives at 8 District.

"I would like to thank the six detectives that have been working extremely hard and have logged many extra hours to help bring our crime rate down and our clearance rate up," said Bleich. "When you're in our business, 38 per cent is very high."

The two additional detectives, said Bleich, were added last March. The additional resources and the right mixture of people have gone a long way, he said.

"They're just a hard working group," said Bleich. "They're trying to be proactive instead of reactive."

He said a new head of the department also played a role. Det. Sgt. Richard Frayne was assigned that duty early last year.

"He is a very dedicated individual," said Bleich of Frayne. "He's really made a difference."

Det. Sgt. Frayne gives full credit to his team of detectives. He said the additional resources have been integral.

"That's been key to us being able to be as effective as we have been," said Det. Sgt. Frayne. "It just gives us a lot more opportunity to cover the ground."

Frayne said it allows police to take a real proactive approach to trying to address trends in the area. One of the recent proactive measures started up by the 8 District officers is the new Crime Watch feature published in Niagara this Week each Friday. The goal, said Bleich, is to try and bring the clearance rate up even higher and solve some of the personal property crimes ranging from mischief to residential break-and-enters.

"Already we've seen a number of calls as a result," said Bleich. "We really want to encourage the community to get involved and call if they have any information. That one little tip can lead to a lot for us."

Bleich also gives credit to the team for helping bring down drug houses and dealers in the area. Drug offences in 2007, he said, were down by 33 per cent over the year prior.

"I believe this statistic is a result of the excellent work by our detective office in arresting dealers and taking down a number of known drug houses in Grimsby," said Bleich.

With such a jump in numbers this year, Frayne said they are already looking at setting targets for this year.

"We've established our goals and will be working to reach them," said Frayne.