Break-and-enter incidents in Mississauga and Brampton have shown a significant decline, with law enforcement responding to fewer than fifty cases over the past 31 days. According to data from Peel Regional Police, there were a total of 43 break-and-enter cases reported from May 15 to June 22.

On average, this equates to just over two incidents per day. The numbers have varied throughout 2024, starting with 48 cases from January to February, decreasing to 29 from February to March, remaining steady from March to April, spiking to 78 in May, and then dropping back down to 43 in June.

Comparatively, this year’s 43 cases represent a noteworthy reduction from the 230 incidents reported from May 8 to June 8 last year (2023). Mississauga recorded 19 incidents, while Brampton reported 24.

The incidents were distributed across various locations: 16 occurred in houses, two in apartments, three in residential garages or sheds, one at a construction site, three in restaurants, three in stores, and 15 at businesses that were not specifically identified.

Certain areas experienced multiple incidents, notably Auction Lane (3 occurrences), Commuter Drive (2 occurrences), and Main Street (2 occurrences).

As of June 15, investigations into most cases are ongoing, with 20 cases still unresolved, 22 solved, and one remaining unsolved. Notably, a cluster of 10 break-and-enter incidents occurred within different units of the same apartment complex in Mississauga last month, believed to be the work of a single suspect.

Peel police suggest that certain types of properties are more susceptible to break-ins, such as corner lots, homes backing onto parks or open spaces, and properties that appear vacant or poorly maintained.

They emphasize that residential break-ins often occur opportunistically, with burglars targeting properties based on factors that minimize their risk of detection. While incidents may not be entirely preventable, community members can enhance their security by:

– Maintaining clear lines of sight around their property by trimming shrubs and hedges.
– Keeping garage and screen doors locked at all times.
– Building relationships with neighbors to collectively monitor each other’s properties.
– Considering additional security measures like secondary locking devices for windows and sliding doors.

Despite ongoing challenges, these proactive measures can help mitigate the risk of break-ins and enhance community safety.