Ontario Taking Action to Combat Auto Theft in Chatham-Kent

New funding will help Chatham-Kent Police Services Board prevent vehicle thefts.

NEWS December 1st, 2023

Chatham-Kent — The Ontario government is investing $879, 883.86 over three years to help Chatham-Kent Police Services Board combat and prevent auto thefts in Chatham-Kent.  

“I am pleased to announce that the Chatham-Kent Police Services Board has secured vital funding to bolster our efforts in combatting and preventing auto thefts” said Trevor Jones, MPP for Chatham-Kent-Leamington. “This investment is a testament to our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our community members.”

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.

“The Chatham-Kent Police Service was tremendously pleased to receive such generous grant funding from the provincial government in respect to preventing auto thefts in our region. This funding will alleviate an organizational void with the implementation of two designated investigators who will have the time, training, and resources to adequately investigate and address the issues associated with the rise of auto-thefts in Chatham-Kent. This will further enhance our working relationships and educational awareness with local auto dealerships and insurance companies. Clearly, the provincial government takes our issues seriously with increased training and grant funding, that correlates back to enhancing community safety and wellbeing” said Chatham-Kent Police Chief Gary Conn.  


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.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES