Ford announces $18 million to combat rampant auto theft in Ontario

As car thefts become bolder in Mississauga, Brampton and across Ontario, the province announced funding to combat the crimes.

Premier Doug Ford announced $18 million over three years to help police services combat and prevent auto theft during a press conference at Peel Regional Police headquarters in Mississauga today (Nov. 24).

The Preventing Auto Thefts (PAT) grant will fund 21 projects across Ontario that feature new and enhanced crime-fighting measures focused on prevention, detection, analysis and enforcement.

Peel Regional Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah welcomed the new grant.

In the last year, Peel Regional Police had the highest per capita of stolen vehicles in the province, losing about 20 vehicles a day, Duraiappah said at the press conference. And across Ontario, there has been an 86 per cent increase in auto theft since 2018.

“It has become such an issue that is no longer just about the theft of a vehicle,” he said. “We’re talking about compromising public safety and the security of our citizens.”

Canada has become a source country for stolen autos across the world.

“It is the third largest revenue source for organized crime,” said Duraiappah.

Duraiappah blamed the rise in theft on multiple factors including global vehicle supply chain issues, a need for vehicles internationally and technology changes.

Peel Regional Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah speaks to reporters at a press conference today in Mississauga.

He added that just last night Peel police caught three suspects connected to multiple carjackings in the region.

“This is an alarming trend, supporting a host of other crimes. It will not be tolerated in our service.”

Ford said car thefts have escalated from stealing cars in the middle night to now kicking people’s home doors to get key fobs.

“These criminals need to go to jail,” he said.

The funds will help police services crack down on the growing problem of auto theft and dismantle organized crime networks, said Ford.

The $18 million is being allocated to police forces across Ontario with $900,000 going to Peel Regional Police and $895,760 for the Hamilton Police Service. The complete list of the 21 police forces that will receive funding is here.

The $18 million in funding for police projects includes:

• Acquiring specialized resources, including surveillance equipment, software and GPS tracking devices
• Providing specialized training to police investigators to enhance skillsets specific to auto theft
• Creating new units dedicated to auto theft, including cross-jurisdictional units that will serve more than one police service to break down silos and address organized criminal activity
• Expanding data collection and analysis efforts to capture more metrics on the linkage to organized crime and other criminal activity
• Fostering partnerships with organizations such as the Insurance Bureau of Canada and the Canadian Automobile Association, as well as local car dealerships to share information and resources and to help in the development of effective prevention strategies and public education campaigns.