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An increase in crime is a symptom of stress in society and the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has been nothing if not stressful on society as well as individuals. Many people are being denied their preferred outlets for stress relief and are being subjected to pressure from their jobs, or lack thereof, their inability to socialize and being cooped up. While most of the statistical information regarding the effects of the pandemic is still being collected, here are four crimes that have been on the rise in British Columbia during the pandemic.
Anti-Asian Hate Crimes
As the Covid-19 Virus has been unfairly labeled as The China Virus by some it isn’t surprising that many are looking for someone to blame and unfortunately that misdirected anger has fallen on the Asian Community, particularly in the Vancouver Area, which has always had a large population of Asian Canadians. According to the Vancouver Police Department, Anti-Asian Hate Crimes have seen a 138% increase from 2019.
Intimate-Partner Violence
Covid-19 has forced many of us to stay in our homes for extended periods of time and stripped many people of their favorite activities. Inter-Partner violence is an unfortunate side effect of not having as many avenues to “separate” ourselves from difficult domestic situations, even the most mundane ones, thus forcing confrontation.
This has also been an extremely difficult time for those trapped in abusive relationships as Covid-19 has created just as much fear outside the home as fear inside the home. Intimate Partner Violence has increased by 4.6% compared to 2019.
Break and Enters on Businesses
Financial Desperation and Criminal Opportunity are both rife when many businesses have been forced to shutter their doors and many employees have been laid off or placed in an employment purgatory, unsure when they will receive their next paycheck. This has led to an increase in the number of Break and Enter cases on businesses, which have seen an 18% Increase from 2019.
Assaults on Police Officers
In part thanks to the ongoing exposures of systemic racism within Police Departments, public trust in the Police is at an all time low with defund the police movements occurring across the globe. Unfortunately some have opted to take this anger to an extreme and assaults on Police Officers have increased by 47% since 2019.
Bloom Law offers free initial defense consultations , if you are facing criminal charges please do not hesitate to call our offices.
Michael Bloom is a very experienced criminal defence lawyer, who started his career as a Crown Prosecutor.
If you have any questions about this article or would like to schedule a free consultation with Mr. Bloom, please call his office at (604) 603-5513 or Toll-Free at (877) 603-5513.
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