The Ontario government is providing an additional $1 million in the fight against gun and gang violence across the province.
The funding is being provided through the Ontario Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) Grant program and will help an additional nine police services fund projects to replace outdated equipment, enhance current technology, and expand CCTV camera coverage in areas where gun and gang violence and correlated crimes, such as drug and human trafficking are most prevalent.
Launched in August 2020, the grant program represents a $6-million investment over three fiscal years, up to 2022-23. The Barrie Police Service is the recipient of a $200,000 grant for Project Lima.
Solicitor General Sylvia Jones says CCTV surveillance cameras are an "essential tool" in helping police detect, prevent and deter criminal activity and keep Ontarians safe.
Barrie-Springwater-Oro-Medonte MPP Doug Downey, who is also the province's attorney general, said this type of funding is crucial.
“Our front-line police, the heroes we rely on to protect us and our communities, tell us that this technology works, and is one of the best tools we have to gain critical advantage over criminal organizations,” Downey said. “It is essential that police services have the tools and resources they need, to support them in their work, as they faithfully protect and serve the residents of Barrie.”
The Ontario CCTV Grant program is part of the province’s Guns, Gangs, and Violence Reduction Strategy. Projects funded through the grant, which will help deter criminal activity and improve public safety, build on a recent provincial investment of $75.1 million to support initiatives including a multi-jurisdictional gun and gang specialized prosecution unit and the Office of Illicit Drug Intelligence.
To date, approximately $187 million has been invested to combat guns and gangs in Ontario.
"Safety in our communities is the top priority of the provincial government," said Barrie-Innisfil MPP Andrea Khanjin. "Investing in new CCTV equipment will mean better coverage and quality of captured video. This will help to deter criminal activity and support both the investigation and prosecution processes."
Police Chief Kimberley Greenwood said the grant will help enhance CCTV capabilities in downtown Barrie.
“Over the past several years, there have been a few serious incidents that involved weapons, but it is the CCTV program that has made the difference in many of these isolated downtown investigations," she said in a news release. "This funding will increase the service’s ability to monitor and capture criminal activity that compromises the safety and well-being of our community and will ultimately assist in promoting a positive quality of life.”
