Local police are acting on feedback from the public after reviewing the results of a community survey.
The Chatham-Kent Police Service conducted the survey in the fall of 2025, looking for input from residents on various topics, including strategic direction, policing priorities, and other matters important to those who live and work in Chatham-Kent.
The survey included over 40 questions on residents’ level of concern with crime in the municipality, their satisfaction with services provided, and how they would rate the performance of officers in various community activities.
According to police officials, many residents who took the survey raised concerns about drug activity, homelessness, property crime, and traffic safety.
“We recognize that visible disorder and repeat offending have affected confidence in some areas,” police said in a survey report. “We also recognize that many concerns, such as addiction, homelessness, and repeat offending, are rooted in broader social challenges.”
CK police said significant structural improvements have been made to the service, including a realignment of the criminal investigation branch into a Major Crime Team, supported by a new General Investigators Unit and expanded Vulnerable Persons Unit.
“I want to assure [the public] that every opinion shared is reviewed, considered, and used to inform our planning, training, and community engagement efforts,” said Police Chief Kirk Earley in the report. “Your feedback does not sit on a shelf, it drives change. It helps us identify gaps, celebrate what is working and focus our efforts where they are needed most.”
While statistics from the survey were not included, the report also detailed the efforts by the police service to address public safety and enforcement gaps, expand community-focused programs, and improve reporting and response systems.
