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McGuinty Government Creates New OPP Team In Border Communities
TORONTO, June 23 /CNW/ -
NEWS
Ontario is improving how it tackles gun and drug smuggling and other
organized crime activities at its borders. The province has formed a
specialized intelligence and enforcement team.
The Provincial Organized Crime Enforcement Team (POCET) is made up of 33
officers of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), who work jointly with
Canadian and American law enforcement partners
(http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/prg/le/bs/ibet-eng.aspx) to disrupt and
suppress organized crime activities.
The new unit is part of the OPP's Organized Crime Section
(http://www.opp.ca/Investigative/opp_001967.html) and is being deployed in
border communities across the province, including Niagara Falls, Sault Ste.
Marie, Windsor, Kingston and Sarnia. The team has satellite offices in
Cornwall, London and Thunder Bay. Two officers will be stationed at OPP
headquarters in Orillia and two in Toronto.
This team is another pillar in Ontario's plan to fight guns and gangs and
organized crime.
QUOTES
"Guns, gangs and drugs are a serious challenge for many communities,"
Community Safety and Correctional Services Minister Rick Bartolucci said.
"Through strategically deployed resources like POCET, we will dismantle these
criminal enterprises. POCET will be a major asset in our fight against guns
and gangs and organized crime in Ontario."
"Stronger enforcement and anti-gun smuggling measures at the border are
key components of our comprehensive plan to combat gun violence," said
Attorney General Chris Bentley. "Working together with our team of specialized
Crown prosecutors, this new enforcement unit will help keep guns out of the
hands of violent criminals."
"The Provincial Organized Crime Enforcement Team will enhance our current
border enforcement initiatives through its focus on enforcement, intelligence
gathering, and the facilitation of investigational needs across the province,"
OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino said. "In this way it will leverage current
activity as all agencies work together to improve our ability to combat
organized crime."
<<
QUICK FACTS
- More than half of the handguns used in crimes in Ontario are smuggled
from the United States.
- Organized crime costs Canadians $5 billion every year or $600 for a
family of four in additional retail or insurance costs.
>>
LEARN MORE
Learn about the McGuinty government's four-point plan
(www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca/english/news/2008/20080527-gun-bg.asp) to
protect Ontario communities from gun violence.
Learn about organized crime
(http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/prg/le/oc/index-eng.aspx) in Canada.
<<
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ontario.ca/safety-news
Disponible en français
BACKGROUNDER
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PROVINCIAL ORGANIZED CRIME ENFORCEMENT TEAM
>>
As part of the 200-officer enhancement to the Ontario Provincial Police
(OPP) announced in July 2007, the McGuinty government approved funding for a
Provincial Organized Crime Enforcement Team (POCET) within the OPP's Organized
Crime Section.
The creation of the 33-member POCET is part of a broader series of
initiatives to combat organized crime and gun violence in Ontario.
The team is designed to provide a provincial strategic response to
investigations into border related illegal activity in Ontario. It will target
serious crimes linked to organized criminal activities in Ontario such as
smuggling of weapons and drugs as well as human trafficking. These activities
represent a serious threat to the safety and well-being of citizens.
The team is an intelligence-led initiative that will enhance current
initiatives in place with justice sector partners. In cooperation with
partners on both sides of the border, POCET will lead investigations/projects
into organized crime groups in areas of guns, drugs, currency, vehicles and
other commodities.
The team will be deployed as follows:
<<
Location No. Of Officers
- Niagara Falls 9
- Kingston 3
- Cornwall Sub-Office 2
- Sault Ste. Marie 3
- Thunder Bay Sub-Office 2
- Windsor 5
- Sarnia 3
- London Sub-Office 2
- Toronto 2
- Headquarters 2
OPP ORGANIZED CRIME SECTION
The Ontario Provincial Police Organized Crime Section has a mandate to
disrupt and suppress organized crime. There are eight specialized units within
the section:
- Provincial Weapons Enforcement Unit
- Biker Enforcement Unit
- Provincial Auto Theft Team
- Illegal Gambling Unit
- Repeat Offender Parole Enforcement
- Asset Forfeiture Unit
- Drug Enforcement
- Provincial Organized Crime Enforcement Team.
>>
These units are all joint forces operations including OPP members and
federal and municipal law enforcement partners. They investigate organized
crime offences in Ontario, through the "intelligence-led" policing model that
involves the collection and analysis of information to inform police
decision-making at both the operational and strategic levels. The Provincial
Organized Crime Enforcement Team will be an instrumental component of the
Organized Crime Section.
<<
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Anthony Brown, Communications Branch, ontario.ca/safety-news
416-314-7772 Disponible en français
BACKGROUNDER
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MCGUINTY GOVERNMENT'S COMPREHENSIVE GUN VIOLENCE STRATEGY
>>
The McGuinty government has made great strides in combating gun and gang
violence. Since 2005, the government has invested over $68 million in new
initiatives to fight gun crime.
The government has expanded the Guns and Gangs Task Force, hired more
police officers, more Crown attorneys, more victim services staff, and more
probation and parole officers. Ontario has opened the Operations Centre to
provide coordinated investigation and prosecution of gun and gang crimes,
opened two major crimes courts and expanded the OPP-led Provincial Weapons
Enforcement Unit. The government is also creating healthy neighbourhoods by
targeting investments in better housing, safe schools, after-school
activities, and programs for underserved youths and adults.
The government also included a comprehensive four-point plan to stop the
proliferation of gun-related crime
(www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca/english/news/2008/20080527-gun-bg.asp).
Fighting gun violence requires being tough on crime, using strong
enforcement and effective prevention, and taking aim at the causes of crime.
The government is doing everything in its power to get guns off our streets
and make our communities safer, and has continued to call on the federal
government to do its part in this fight.
BEING TOUGH ON CRIME
Expanded Guns and Gangs Task Force - The task force includes police
officers, Crown prosecutors, probation and parole officers, corrections
officers and staff from the Victim/Witness Assistance Program who work
together from the first day of an investigation.
Since 2005, the McGuinty government has expanded the task force to
include a total of 72 Crown prosecutors working with police to investigate and
prosecute gun violence at street level. This includes specially trained Crown
prosecutors deployed to the province's six regions to work full-time as a
resource to police and prosecutors on gun violence matters.
These specialized Crown prosecutors provide early legal advice to police,
especially on search warrants or other issues arising in an investigation.
They also, where appropriate, get legal authorization for the police to
conduct wiretaps. After charges are laid by police, Crown prosecutors prepare
and conduct the prosecutions.
In addition, the government has added six new anti-gun smuggling Crowns
to work with police for better coordination and collaboration in investigating
and prosecuting gun-runners, smugglers and thieves.
Ontario and federal officials will also continue discussions with a view
to creating teams of dedicated provincial and federal prosecutors working
together to take action on gun and related drug crimes.
Operations Centre - The government has established a world class,
state-of-the-art operations centre that better allows for highly coordinated
investigations and prosecutions of gun and gang-related offences. The centre
houses the expanded Guns and Gangs Task Force, which includes several police
services including the Toronto Police Service, Ontario Provincial Police, a
team of specialized Crown prosecutors, support staff, probation and parole
officers, and a victims unit.
Major Crimes Courts - The province has established major crimes courts
designed to increase the criminal justice system's capacity to respond to
large-scale, gun and gang-related prosecutions. The first major crimes
courtroom, located at 361 University Avenue in Toronto, opened in December
2006. The second, located at 2201 Finch Avenue West in Toronto, opened in
October 2007. These courts are equipped with higher levels of security and are
capable of dealing with complex cases involving multiple defendants. Three new
judges were appointed to deal with the anticipated increase in the volume of
work.
No Deals for Gun Offenders - Ontario Crown prosecutors are instructed not
to withdraw or plea-bargain firearms-related offences unless there are
exceptional circumstances. The Crown must also seek appropriate sentences that
will act as a deterrent and, in appropriate cases, consider seeking sentences
higher than the mandatory minimum.
Community Impact Evidence - The Ministry of the Attorney General is
implementing new and innovative ways for Crown prosecutors to seek tougher
sentences by developing and presenting evidence to the court about the
devastating impact of gun violence on individuals and communities.
Calling on Federal Government - Ontario led the charge for tougher gun
laws, including increased mandatory minimums and reverse onus bail for gun
crimes. Now that the federal parliament has responded with the passage of Bill
C-2, Ontario is calling on the federal government to get more involved in
fighting gun crime through:
<<
- Tougher laws including a handgun ban
- Full federal funding of the 2,500 additional police officers promised
nationwide
- Increased anti-gun smuggling security at the Canada-U.S. border.
>>
Ontario's Witness Protection Program - The program has been improved to
encourage more community members to come forward when they have witnessed a
serious crime. The Ministry of the Attorney General has improved short-term
protection, and reduced the red tape involved in obtaining admission to the
program and receiving a new identity. The Attorney General will continue to
work with his federal counterpart to improve the federal witness protection
plan so that it can work in a coordinated manner with Ontario's program.
STRONG ENFORCEMENT
The Safer Communities - 1,000 Officers Partnership Program - This
$37.1-million program is a key part of the government's plan to foster safer
and stronger communities in Ontario. Half of the 1,000 new police officers are
assigned to community policing, including school visits, street patrols and
increased traffic enforcement. The remaining 500 new officers are assigned
duties related to six priority areas:
<<
- Guns and gangs
- Youth crime
- Organized crime and marijuana grow operations
- Dangerous offenders
- Domestic violence
- Protecting children from Internet luring and child pornography.
>>
All 1,000 officers have been hired, trained and placed in communities
across Ontario, including 250 in Toronto. Furthermore, the government is
continuing to fund the $31.1-million Community Policing Partnerships Program,
which provides an additional 1,000 officers. Between these two programs, the
government is investing over $68 million in over 2,000 additional officers in
communities across Ontario.
On July 27, 2007, the government built on its strong anti-crime strategy
by:
<<
- Increasing the complement of OPP officers by 200 - This is the
largest increase in OPP officer strength in well over a decade. The
additional officers will be assigned to a number of priority areas to
target criminal activity and protect Ontario citizens. The creation
of the Provincial Organized Crime Enforcement Team, comprising 33
officers, arises out of this increase.
- Expanding the Provincial Weapons Enforcement Unit - The addition of
50 officers in a three-phase implementation will expand the unit's
ability to target domestic and international firearms trafficking, as
well as to develop and coordinate intelligence-led, joint forces
investigations targeting street gangs and other criminal groups with
municipal, federal and American law enforcement partners. This will
bring the total number of officers in the unit to 117 by September
2008.
- Enhancing the Chief Firearms Office - This initiative will add three
officers to the Chief Firearms Office to conduct investigations into
the eligibility/suitability of certain individuals to possess
firearms or a firearms license.
>>
Funding for Policing in High-Priority Areas - In January 2006, the
McGuinty government provided $5 million to the Toronto Police Service to
support its offensive against gangs in high-priority areas of the city. This
effort included the establishment of the Toronto Anti-Violence Intervention
Strategy (TAVIS) - three rapid response teams each consisting of 18 highly
trained police officers, specializing in drugs and guns interdiction to work
on the strategy.
In June 2007, the government announced a one-time payment of $5 million
to the Toronto Police Service to continue and expand the TAVIS program to the
Entertainment District with a fourth rapid response team. The McGuinty
government recognizes that the program has shown positive results.
As of December 31, 2007, Toronto Police Service had seen tremendous
results following the implementation of this program, including more than
10,000 arrests and the seizure of 436 firearms.
Closed Circuit Television Initiative - The government provided $2 million
to the Toronto Police Service to support the acquisition of 15 redeployable
camera systems to monitor high-risk crime areas.
Expanded Guns and Gangs and Anti-Violence Intervention Program - On
June 6, 2007, the premier announced the government's $12-million investment to
further combat guns and gangs, organized crime and illegal drugs in Ontario,
including: $6.3 million to expand the guns and gangs anti-violence
intervention program to Brantford, Halton, Hamilton, Niagara, Essex County,
Durham, Kenora, London, Ottawa, Peel, Thunder Bay, Waterloo and York Region.
Crime Stoppers - The province has made funding for the Ontario
Association of Crime Stoppers permanent by investing $200,000 annually to
maintain the Crime Stoppers 24-hour, toll-free telephone tip line. In 2006,
the Ontario Association of Crime Stoppers received over 19,000 tips. This
resulted in 3,297 arrests, the recovery of more than $11 million in property
and the seizure of close to $200 million in illegal drugs.
Task Force on Marijuana Grow Operations - The community safety hazards of
marijuana grow operations call for dedicated resources. The new advisory group
will develop methods to reduce the risks to public safety from marijuana grow
operations. Through additional resources, the Office of the Fire Marshal will
provide increased training to help reduce the risks to health and safety for
police and fire services arising from marijuana grow operations.
Crystal Methamphetamine Labs - Illicit methamphetamine (crystal meth)
labs pose health and safety risks to Ontario citizens. Since June 2006, six
super labs have been dismantled in Ontario (Durham, Peel, Sault Ste. Marie
area, Stokes Bay and Haliburton). A new team of 10 specially trained officers
will supplement the Ontario Provincial Police Drug Enforcement Section by
providing expertise in dismantling crystal meth labs and targeting the
criminal organizations that operate them. The Office of the Fire Marshal is
also being given additional resources to meet the increasing demands for fire
and explosion investigations and for the training and education of police and
fire services that is needed because of the spread of crystal meth labs.
One million dollars was provided for a pilot project in Stratford to
target producers and traffickers of methamphetamine (crystal meth) and
dismantle their labs. This project will take a three-pronged approach that
will include:
<<
- Enforcement - providing funding enhancement to Stratford Police to
supplement its drug enforcement activities
- Community awareness - education campaign to address the crystal meth
issue
- Treatment - resources to supplement Stratford health services in
addressing crystal meth.
>>
Expanded Ontario Provincial Police Asset Forfeiture Unit - This will
enhance the capacity of the Ontario Provincial Police working with municipal
police to identify, locate and seize the illegal gains from criminal
organizations, and seek their forfeiture through the courts.
EFFECTIVE PREVENTION
Additional Probation and Parole Officers - The government has hired a
manager, two support staff and 12 new probation and parole officers working at
the Operations Centre conducting risk assessments on individuals accused of
offences related to guns and gangs and providing enhanced supervision and
enforcement of court ordered conditions (probation and conditional sentences)
for identified guns and gang members in the city of Toronto.
Correctional Institutions - A new Intelligence Unit operating within the
correctional system will help identify gang members and reduce the potential
for criminal activity in Ontario.
Gun Amnesty - The government's $270,000 investment in Project PEACE
(Public Education And Crime Eradication), a prevention, education and
enforcement initiative of the Toronto Police Service allowed police officers
to work closely with communities, schools and young Torontonians to keep guns
out of the hands of youth and youth out of the reach of gangs.
A Project PEACE gun amnesty was implemented by the Toronto Police Service
and supported by the Ministry of the Attorney General from November 7-30,
2005. A total of 261 guns and 1,554 rounds of ammunition were collected.
Centre of Forensic Sciences - The government has increased funding to the
centre by almost $700,000 to expand its capacity to perform scientific testing
of bullets, cartridge cases and firearms. The centre has established a rapid
investigative support service to crime scene officers for shooting incidents
and a database to identify linkages between firearms and crime scenes.
"Blitz" Inspections of Gun-Licensed Businesses in Toronto - The
government funded a blitz inspection of 32 gun-licensed businesses in Toronto
in September 2005, to ensure gun storage and safekeeping standards were being
met. The Chief Firearms Office is now incorporating unannounced inspections of
gun-licensed businesses across the province into its regular procedures.
Previously, most inspections were scheduled in advance.
TAKING AIM AT THE CAUSES OF CRIME
The Ontario government funds and delivers 29 pre-charge and 40
post-charge diversion programs and has developed an Extrajudicial Measures
Framework for Youth in Ontario that will help communities provide services for
youth to keep them out of the formal court process.
Youth Justice Committees - The Youth Justice Committee program is an
alternative to the formal court process that holds low-risk young offenders
accountable and addresses issues that may lead to reoffending. The government
has expanded the program three times since 2004, to 54 communities across the
province - one for every court jurisdiction. More than 80 per cent of the
participants have had no further contact with the justice system within one
year of completion.
Youth Intervention Centres - Since April 2004, the government has
established 32 Youth Intervention Centres across the province. Intervention
centres are an alternative to custody for youth in conflict with the law. The
centres provide structured and closely supervised programs that include: anger
management, anti-violence programs, life skills, counselling, peer
relationships and employment readiness.
African Canadian Youth Justice Program - In May 2006, the government, in
partnership with the African Canadian Legal Clinic, launched an innovative
program to reduce youth offences and help youth in conflict with the law, ages
12 to 17, achieve better outcomes through appropriate community-based,
culturally-sensitive services and referrals. Operating out of four
Toronto-area youth court locations, the program offers both court workers and
reintegration social workers to assist youth in accessing community supports
and resources, including counselling and mentorship opportunities.
Youth Opportunities Strategy
(http://www.gov.on.ca/children/english/programs/youth/oppotunities/index.html)
- The government is investing just over $11 million in 2008 to help youth in
high-needs neighbourhoods in Toronto, Durham, Windsor, Ottawa, London,
Hamilton, Thunder Bay and communities policed by the Nishnawabe-Aski Police
Service. The strategy was launched in 2006 and expanded in 2007 to help young
people through expanded community-based mentorship, job-readiness, employment
skills and training and programming in schools.
The strategy includes the following programs:
<<
- Summer Jobs For Youth Program - This program includes pre-employment
readiness, employment placements and post-employment supports in a
variety of fields, including recreation, business and youth
leadership. In summer 2007, approximately 1,800 youth, 15 to 18 years
old from high-needs neighbourhoods, completed the program.
- Youth in Policing Initiative - This eight-week program strengthens
relationships between youth in high-needs neighbourhoods and the
police, gives young people a better understanding of police work, and
encourages youth to consider policing as a career. Participants ages
14 to 17 are given jobs in a variety of areas with their local police
service, including information technology, forensic identification,
community events, traffic safety and graffiti eradication.
- Youth Outreach Worker Program - 62 outreach workers are currently
working in high-needs neighbourhoods engaging and providing advice to
youth and connecting hard-to-reach young people to appropriate
services in their communities.
- YouthConnect.ca (http://www.youthconnect.ca/main/english/index.html)
- YouthConnect.ca is a place for young people to find information,
services and resources to help them make good choices, achieve
success and contribute positively to their communities.
- School-based Prevention/Diversion Program - This program creates
partnerships among schools, school boards, community-based agencies
and police. There are currently 18 programs offered in partnership
with 22 school boards across the province helping students ages 12 to
17 who are at risk of becoming involved or are already involved in
violent and/or offending activity. The program increases their
chances of school success by providing in-school peer mediation and
access to support services.
- Ontario Public Service Learn and Work Program - The program engages
youth from high-needs neighbourhoods ages 16 to 19 to the world of
work by offering meaningful cooperative education work experience in
the Ontario government and its related agencies. Upon completion of
this specialized co-operative education program, participants will
have had the opportunity to earn academic credits toward their high
school diploma and to obtain up to 21 weeks of meaningful work
experience, consisting of one co-op placement per semester in the
Ontario Public Service and its agencies. This program benefits up to
80 students in four locations across the province.
>>
Down with Guns Program - The government has invested $3 million in this
community-designed initiative that helps youth in Toronto lead lives free of
violence. Led by the African-Canadian Christian Network in partnership with
the Toronto Community Foundation, this youth anti-violence strategy is focused
on four key areas: family, education, employment and crime prevention.
Youth Challenge Fund - The Youth Challenge Fund is an innovative public
and private sector initiative that invests in community projects that offer
positive opportunities for young people growing up in Toronto's most
under-served neighbourhoods. The fund makes direct, grassroots investments in
youth-based initiatives that are aimed at building great ideas, creating youth
spaces and providing opportunities for education, employment and leadership.
Approximately $15.1 million has been dedicated to 80 youth-led groups across
Toronto since the fund was established in February 2006.
Safe Schools Strategy - To help ensure that students feel safe at schools
and on school grounds, the Ontario government has a comprehensive Safe Schools
Strategy that includes a Bullying Prevention Strategy. On top of the
$28.7 million already invested, the Ontario government invested a further
$43.7 million for 2007-08 for a variety of programs and supports to not only
help make schools safer, but also reduce incidents of youth violence. In
2008-09, the $10-million Urban and Priority High Schools component is being
introduced to help schools, students, their families, and communities facing
safety issues. The Safe Schools Action Team has also been reengaged to look at
how we can better promote healthy relationships and safe environments in our
schools.
Amendments to the Education Act - In June 2007, the government passed
amendments to the safe schools provisions of the Education Act that more
effectively combine discipline with opportunities for students to continue
their education. In addition, bullying had been added to the list of
infractions for which suspension must be considered. The amendments came into
effect on February 1, 2008.
Kids Help Phone - By April 2008, the Ontario government's $3-million
partnership with Kids Help Phone will have helped them provide anonymous
support to over 40,000 bullying victims, bystanders and the bullies
themselves. The partnership is being extended for a further three years.
Bullying Prevention - To help reduce bullying, the Ontario government has
developed a multi-lingual pamphlet for parents on bullying prevention. The
government also provides a registry of bullying prevention programs on the
Ministry of Education website. School climate surveys have been developed to
help school staff determine their school's needs and make decisions on
bullying prevention programming.
Gang Awareness Seminars - The government co-sponsored two Gang Awareness
Seminars during the summer of 2007 for over 200 educators and school officers.
This initiative was presented in partnership with The Committee of Youth
Officers for the Province of Ontario and the Ontario Gang Investigators
Association.
Focus on Youth - In summer 2007, the government provided $4 million to
school boards to create new, or expand existing summer youth programs in
Toronto schools in priority neighbourhoods. In 2008, the Ontario government is
expanding the Focus on Youth program outside of Toronto to priority
neighbourhoods in Hamilton and Ottawa thanks to an additional investment of
$2 million.
Apprenticeship Training - Over the last three years pre-apprenticeship
projects for at-risk youth total approximately $2.1 million. Approximately 220
at-risk youth will have learned practical skills to help them become eligible
for apprenticeship programs in the skilled trades.
Community Use of Schools - The Ontario government is investing
$33 million in the Community Use of Schools program for 2008-09, a significant
increase over the previous year's investment, making it more affordable for
youth, seniors and adults to use local schools for meetings, sports and other
activities. The program and its funding will continue to grow over the next
few years, reaching $66 million by 2011-12.
Leave Out ViolencE (LOVE) - A special project grant was provided to LOVE
to provide outreach and support to school children and youth in high-risk
neighbourhoods. Youth leaders are being trained to become peer mentors and
will conduct presentations in schools to help empower youth and children to
take a stand against the violence that has penetrated their communities and
prevent re-victimization.
<<
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Anthony Brown, Communications Branch, ontario.ca/safety-news
416-314-7772 Disponible en français
>>
-30-
For further information: Laura Blondeau, Minister's Office, (416) 325-4973; Anthony Brown, Communications Branch, (416) 314-7772
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