Rae announces over $860K to Combat Local Auto Thefts

[Perth-Wellington] – Today, Matthew Rae, MPP for Perth-Wellington announced that the Perth County OPP will receive $860,579 to help combat and prevent auto thefts. The Guelph Police will also receive $859,977.16 over three years.

“I appreciate the good work our officers do day in and day out,” said MPP Rae.  “They are integral to the health and safety of our small and rural communities. The province is providing law-enforcement with the tools they require to continue to protect our communities.”

The funding is part of the government’s new Preventing Auto Thefts (PAT) Grant program designed to support new and enhanced crime-flighting measures that focus on prevention, detection, analysis, and enforcement. In total, 21 police projects across the province are receiving funding for a total investment of $18 million over three years in the fight against auto theft.

“Every 14 minutes a vehicle is stolen in Ontario and this investment will give police services the tools they need to successfully fight auto theft across the province,” said Solicitor General Michael Kerzner. “This grant will enable police services to work with law enforcement and logistics partners to enhance prevention, improve investigations and gather evidence to hold criminals accountable.”

The PAT grant is one of several measures underway to fight auto theft. Earlier this year, Ontario announced the Organized Crime Towing and Auto Theft Team to help police services identify, disrupt and dismantle organized crime networks. In addition, the government also announced the creation of the Major Auto Theft Prosecution Response Team to help police prepare and prosecute complex cases. Ontario is also exploring opportunities to combat vehicle thefts by partnering with Canada Border Services Agency, Royal Canadian Mounted Police and shipping container and rail companies.

QUICK FACTS

• From 2014 to 2021, there was a 72 per cent increase in auto thefts across the province, and a 14 per cent increase in the last year alone.
• Car thefts in Ontario have increased by 31 per cent in the first six months of 2023, when compared to the same period in 2022.