Funds seized as proceeds of crime funneled back into the Lakeshore to fight crime and keep young people away from gangs.
The Ontario government is fighting crime in Etobicoke-Lakeshore by investing $3 million in proceeds of crime money into street gang and other prevention initiatives.
The funds, forfeited to the province as proceeds of crime following criminal prosecutions, will be used to support community safety projects by the Toronto Police Service (TPS).
The money will help TPS, Victim Services Toronto and the Toronto District School Board, develop and deliver an annual School Safety Symposium for Grade 7, 8 and 9 students.
Funds from the province for area high school symposiums being used to avert students from a life of crime, drugs and gangs.
The symposium will help reduce youth involvement in gangs and street violence. It will also increase awareness about human trafficking, intimate partner violence, online dangers as sexting and bullying, hate incidents and crimes affecting school-age youth.
“Our government is committed to its priority of keeping communities safe,” said Christine Hogarth, the MPP for Etobicoke-Lakeshore. “This funding will help Toronto Police work with local partners to combat street violence and crimes affecting youth.”
Students from area schools will learn how to get along better with police and other community leaders.
She said redirecting proceeds from crime to fund meaningful initiatives will help create safer neighbourhoods.
Ontario since 2018 has invested more than $16 million in crime prevention initiatives across the province through the Proceeds of Crime Front-Line Policing (POC-FLP) Grant program.
“We’re using every tool including cash and proceeds seized from criminals to prevent crime and protect our communities,” said Solicitor General Michael Kerzner. “These funds are being reinvested into communities to help support victims, educate youth and increase awareness about crimes such as gang violence and hate.”
Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw said communities need to feel safe to thrive.
The provincial funds is a step in the right direction to keep Grade 7,8, and 9 students from a life of crime and abuse.
“This reinvestment of proceeds of crime into crime prevention initiatives is a welcome decision,”
Demkiw said. It helps in “raising awareness and reduce incidents of violence and crimes affecting school-age youth.”
Ontario is investing more than $1.7 million to help stop hate-motivated crimes across the province.
The province is also fighting auto theft by investing $51 million over three years to help police identify and dismantle organized crime networks and put thieves behind bars. This includes $18 million to support new and enhanced crime-fighting measures.
Ontario is already investing $112 million to help police track and monitor repeat and violent offenders who are released on bail. This includes $24 million to help establish bail compliance or warrant apprehension teams and support technology for bail compliance monitoring system.