Rowena Santos launches survey to identify neighbourhood concerns and guide enforcement efforts
Brampton Wards 1 and 5 Councillor Rowena Santos is calling on residents to help pinpoint areas of concern as she raises alarms about what she describes as a rise in petty crime across the city.
Santos has launched a community survey asking residents to share where incidents such as theft under $5,000, property damage and disorderly conduct are occurring. Examples include thefts from vehicles, vandalism, trespassing and so-called “porch pirate” package thefts.
“From late-night car door checks to stolen Amazon packages and missing tools from sheds and garages, more residents are contacting her office and posting incidents online to warn their neighbours,” Santos said in a statement, noting an uptick in calls from concerned constituents in recent months.
She added that incidents occurring close to home can have a significant impact on residents’ sense of security.
“When someone tries to open your car door in the middle of the night or steals a package from your porch, it shakes your sense of safety at home,” she said.
The survey aims to gather information on where incidents are happening, how often they occur and what preventative measures residents would like prioritized. Santos said the feedback will help guide discussions with Peel Regional Police and Brampton’s Community Safety & Well-Being Office.
Peel Region council has approved the addition of 300 new frontline officers in 2025, with another 175 officers slated for 2026. Santos said she wants to ensure those resources are deployed strategically, particularly in higher-risk areas.
While Peel police statistics show certain offences declined year-over-year across Brampton and Mississauga — including a 6.2 per cent drop in thefts from vehicles and a 2.2 per cent decrease in mischief incidents — the data is not broken down by municipality. Other petty offences, such as trespassing and package thefts, are not publicly detailed in the same way.
“The numbers alone don’t reflect the growing anxiety families are feeling,” Santos said.
The councillor says the survey results will help shape next steps in addressing neighbourhood safety concerns and ensure enforcement efforts are informed by residents’ lived experiences.