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A new pattern of neighbourhood crime in the time of COVID-19 is emerging and it looks something like this: fewer traffic violations, less drunk driving, fewer frauds but way more domestic violence, commercial break-ins and stunt driving.

It makes sense.

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The COVID-19 pandemic brought sweeping emergency declarations to most of Canada, with limitations on movement, work, recreation and business.

Self-isolation suddenly and fundamentally changed our lifestyles: how we move, where we go, how we work, how we play, who we spend time with and who is watching us.

This has a huge impact on crime.

The statistics we are seeing make sense with the ways we are living right now

National Post contacted police forces around the country for information on how COVID-19 is changing neighbourhood crime. For some, the pandemic is ushering in new highs and lows.

“Our radios are usually very busy, dispatchers barking out calls one after another,” said a Toronto police officer, who asked not to be named because he wasn’t authorized to speak publicly. “Now we sometimes hear an officer asking for a radio check because they think their radio isn’t working.”