The Ontario government is providing $2.2 million to LaSalle Police Services and Windsor Police Services to help prevent repeat and violent offenders from committing serious crimes while out on bail, Essex MPP Anthony Leardi’s office announced last week.
The funding is part of the province’s plan to help protect communities, support victims of crime and keep people safe.
“Repeat, violent offenders belong in jail – full stop,” said Anthony Leardi, MPP for the Riding of Essex. “I am very pleased that our government is making investments to keep our community safe from violence.”
Through the Bail Compliance and Warrant Apprehension (BCWA) Grant program, the government states it is investing $24 million across the province to “help establish dedicated bail compliance and/or warrant apprehension teams to monitor high-risk individuals.” The funding is being delivered over three years and will also support new technology for a province-wide bail compliance monitoring system.
“It is unacceptable that repeat and violent offenders are committing serious crimes while out on bail,” said Solicitor General Michael Kerzner. “By giving police the tools they need to track and arrest offenders who violate their bail conditions, our government is helping to ensure Ontario is one of the safest jurisdictions in Canada.”
A media release from Leardi’s office touts the BCWA Grant as being part of a $112 million investment “to strengthen the province’s bail system and ensure repeat and violent offenders comply with their bail and court-ordered conditions.”
Other initiatives include the creation of a Bail Compliance Unit within the OPP’s Repeat Offender Parole Enforcement (ROPE) Squad, the establishment of Intensive Serious Violent Crime Bail Teams within the court system, and a new province-wide bail compliance dashboard to help monitor high-risk offenders with the most accurate data possible.
"We are grateful to our provincial partners for coming through on funding this very important initiative that will enhance our capacity to track down wanted persons and enforce conditions of judicial release including bail,” said LaSalle police chief Duncan Davies. “We are pleased to partner with the Windsor Police Service and local Crown Attorney's office by committing the necessary resources to this joint venture with the ultimate goal of making our respective communities more safe and secure."
According to the province, the BCWA Grant program will support 17 municipal police services, four First Nations police services and 12 Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) services.
By RTT Staff
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