Fear of rural home invasions rising
By Carl Clutchey, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Source: The Chronicle-Journal
Support appears to be growing among rural municipalities for federal legislative changes that would back up homeowners who defend themselves in the event of violent home invasions if they act “in legitimate self-defense.”
Some Northern municipalities, like Moosonee, have put the demand for changes in writing, citing in particular longer police-response times in rural areas.
“Rural residents often experience police response times that can exceed 30 minutes or more, leaving citizens without immediate protection when confronted with life-threatening emergencies” such as a violent invasion, says a Moosonee council resolution.
The resolution adds: “Violent home invasions have increased in several regions of Ontario, creating growing fear and frustrating among residents.”
Under the Criminal Code, homeowners are allowed to use force to defend themselves, but the force must be proportionate to the threat. A judge may determine that the amount of force used was excessive.
Last summer, Premier Doug Ford appeared to champion so-called castle laws, telling reporters at a news conference, “You should have the right to protect your family and your home without worrying you’ll end up in handcuffs.”
Ford added: “If someone breaks into your house, you shouldn’t have to second-guess defending yourself or your loved ones.”
Moosonee’s resolution has circulated among municipalities in rural Thunder Bay. Neebing’s council recently supported a similar resolution.
Moosonee’s initiative is demanding that a home invasion be classified as a “distinct” criminal offence, “allowing for accurate tracking, targeted enforcement, and informed public policy.”
Though the municipality applauds the Ontario government for advocating for like-minded changes, it says the province also has to up its game by “taking stronger action to monitor, publish and improve police response times in rural and northern communities.”
The province should also take steps to “ensure that residents are not left unprotected due to (police) resource shortages,” the resolution adds.
