Ontario Increasing Supports to Improve Community Safety in Durham Region

 Investment helping local police fight crime and keep people safe 

The Ontario government is investing $10,392,991.50 over three years to provide Durham Regional Police Service with significant new resources to safeguard Durham Region. This funding is part of Ontario’s $267 million investment in the Community Safety and Policing (CSP) Grant Program for initiatives that help combat crime locally. 

Durham Regional Police Service is one of 90 police services receiving funding through the CSP Grant Program for 147 public safety initiatives focusing on local and provincial priorities such as gun and gang violence, sexual violence and harassment, human trafficking, mental health and addictions and hate-motivated crime. Many projects will be undertaken in collaboration with community partners. 

“Public Safety is a top priority for this government. We remain committed to providing local frontline Durham Regional Police Services officers the tools they need to do their jobs and keep our local communities in Pickering-Uxbridge and across Durham Region, safe,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, MPP for Pickering-Uxbridge. 

“This is great news for the residents of Whitby and across Durham Region. This funding will help the Durham Regional Police strengthen local public safety initiatives to combat gun and gang violence, sexual violence and harassment, human trafficking, mental health and addictions challenges, as well as cyber and hate crimes,” said Lorne Coe, MPP for Whitby. 

Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS) will use the funds to support two projects that address at risk individuals in the region including the creation of youth/gang liaison officers to help front-line officers and community partners identify at risk youth. A second project will support the Durham Community and Safety Well-Being Plan through coordination, collaboration, training and evidence-based data evaluation to address priority risk factors. 

“These grants will help enhance our efforts to support those at risk and address risk factors that impact the safety of our communities. These initiatives align with 

Durham’s Community Safety and Well-Being Plan and will ensure effective collaboration with community partners to reduce cases of acutely-elevated risk,” said DRPS Interim Chief Todd Rollauer. 

“Community safety is a top priority, and our government has been strengthening our justice system to protect communities and hold offenders accountable,” said Solicitor General Sylvia Jones. “This investment is another way we are helping police services address local challenges and improve the well-being of the people they serve. Whether to combat the opioid crisis, share intelligence, or prevent violent crime, this funding will make a difference in all corners of Ontario.” 

The CSP Grant Program helps police services address priority issues identified in their communities such as expanding mental health supports, preventing crime in schools and combatting cyber-crime. It also addresses province wide priorities such as: 

  • Gun and gang violence 
  • Sexual violence and harassment 
  • Human trafficking 
  • Mental health and addictions 
  • Hate-motivated crime. 

QUICK FACTS 

  • This investment will be allocated over a three-year period: 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25 to recipients and projects listed here. 
  • The maximum funding for any one initiative under the Provincial Priorities Funding Stream is $1.5 million over three years. 
  • Under the Local Priorities Funding Stream, each eligible police services board had a pre-determined allocation that they could apply for. 
  • Police services will be required to report twice a year on the financial activities and outcomes of their initiatives. 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES 

 

MEDIA CONTACTS

Safa Khan

Office of Peter Bethlenfalvy

MPP, Pickering – Uxbridge

Peter.bethlenfalvyco@pc.ola.org

905-509-0336

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Shannon Weir

Office of Lorne Coe

MPP, Whitby

lorne.coeco@pc.ola.org

905-430-1141