The Ontario government has revealed that it is fighting auto theft by investing $51 million in new measures to help police identify and dismantle organized crime networks and put thieves behind bars.
A statement by the government said the funding will support first-of-its kind auto theft prosecution teams to investigate and prosecute criminal organizations that profit from stolen vehicles.
Solicitor General Michael Kerzner said “With vehicle thefts and car jackings on the rise, our government is taking bold action against a serious and often violent crime where high-tech criminals operate in tightly organized networks”.
“These measures are aimed at taking crime organizations apart and bringing these criminals to justice.”
According to the release, the investment will be delivered over three years and includes:
“(1) The creation of an Organized Crime Towing and Auto Theft Team led by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP): Drawing upon the experience and success of the province’s towing joint force operation, the Organized Crime Towing and Auto Theft Team will work with police services to identify, disrupt and dismantle organized crime networks participating in vehicle theft.
“(2) A new community safety grant that targets auto theft: Starting this year, OPP, municipal and First Nations police services will be eligible to apply for funding for extra tools, supports and resources to fight and prevent auto theft in their communities. Funding can be used for public education and awareness campaigns or technology to assist police with surveillance and identification of stolen vehicles.
“(3) Creation of a new Major Auto Theft Prosecution Response Team: This team will provide dedicated legal and prosecutorial support to the OPP to prepare and prosecute complex cases, with corresponding court support staff and resources”.
Harping on the development, Attorney General Doug Downey said “We need a strong approach across the justice sector to stop the rise in auto thefts across Ontario”
“Today’s investments will support the creation of dedicated auto theft prosecution teams and enhanced court resources to investigate and prosecute criminal organizations, and ensure justice is served. Our auto theft focus will support our ongoing efforts to ensure communities remain safe and that we hold offenders accountable.”
The government added that to help stop the illegal export of stolen vehicles and target violent crime linked to criminal organizations, it is also investing $1.4 million over three years in the Greater Toronto Area-Greater Golden Horseshoe Investigative Fund.
This funding will continue to provide eligible police services with the resources they need, including cutting-edge technology, the government said.
“Additionally, as part of the Guns and Gangs Violence Reduction Strategy, Ontario will continue to target organized crime that fuels gang operations, such as vehicle theft rings, through a further $13.4 million investment this year. Funding will support a guns and gangs joint forces operation led by the OPP to increase intelligence sharing and enforcement across multiple jurisdictions, as well as a provincial guns and gangs support unit to assist with investigations and prosecutions.
“The Ontario government is also taking further action against auto theft by exploring opportunities to work in partnership with Canada Border Services Agency, Royal Canadian Mounted Police and shipping container and rail companies,” the release said.
