The Ontario government has announced that it is investing $18 million over three years to help support law enforcement in combatting the rising number of auto thefts in the province.
The investment will go towards the Preventing Auto Thefts (PAT) grant, which will provide funding for 21 projects that incorporate innovative measures focused on prevention, detection, analysis and enforcement.
Premier Doug Ford said in a news release that the initiative’s goal is to ensure that Ontario police officers “have the tools they need to keep people and communities safe.”
“This investment will help our police services crack down on the growing problem of auto theft, dismantle organized crime networks and get these criminals off the streets and behind bars where they belong,” he said further.
Ontario’s PAT grant includes provisions for acquiring specialized resources like surveillance equipment, software, and GPS tracking devices. It will also facilitate specialized training for police investigators and support the creation of new units dedicated to addressing auto theft.
Efforts will also be made to expand data collection and analysis to capture more metrics on the linkage to organized crime and other criminal activities.
Furthermore, the move will help strengthen partnerships with key organizations like the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC), the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA), and local car dealerships, according to the government’s announcement.
“With increased efforts and tactics used by thieves and criminal networks, our government is staying one step ahead,” said Solicitor General Michael Kerzner. “This grant will enable police services to work with key partners to enhance knowledge and resources, improve investigations and gather evidence to hold criminals accountable.”
Responding to Ontario’s recent announcement, the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) has issued a statement lauding the PAT grant.
“IBC commends the Ontario government on its continued commitment to fighting auto theft,” said Amanda Dean, IBC’s interim vice president in Ontario.
Dean pointed to recent statistics indicating that insurers paid over $1 billion in claims for stolen vehicles last year. She also noted that 2022 costs associated with auto theft claims sat at approximately $700 million in Ontario alone, up 329% from $160 million in 2018.
The IBC leader highlighted the importance of a “whole-of-society” approach,” commending the government’s commitment to creating a provincial auto theft team with dedicated prosecutorial support, as well as its willingness to form partnerships with IBC and other stakeholders.
“Canadians should not have to live in fear of auto theft and deserve the reassurance and the knowledge that their governments are doing everything they can to fight back against theft,” she said.
The PAT grant is part of Ontario's broader set of measures to combat auto theft. The government previously introduced initiatives such as the Organized Crime Towing and Auto Theft Team and the Major Auto Theft Prosecution Response Team to dismantle criminal networks and aid in prosecuting complex cases.
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