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The Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) is going to have another resource to help tackle car thieves and organized crime.
Announced this week, the Ontario government is investing $134 million to purchase five new police helicopters for use in the Greater Toronto Area and Ottawa. Equipped with the latest technology, the helicopters will help keep highways and roadways safe from violent carjackings, auto theft, street racing and impaired driving.
“Our government is making the necessary investments to ensure that police services have the tools and resources they need to crack down on auto theft and car thieves,” says Premier Doug Ford. “From implementing new technologies and innovative policing strategies to tackling guns and gangs and getting more boots on the ground, we’ll do whatever it takes to put the criminals behind bars and keep our communities safe.”
As part of a new Joint Air Support Unit, the Ontario Provincial Police will acquire two new H135 helicopters to provide support to Ottawa and Toronto Police Services. In addition, three helicopters will be procured, owned and operated by Durham, Halton and Peel Regional Police Services to support current patrols and improve response times.
“Criminal networks have become more sophisticated, but so have we,” says Solicitor General Michael Kerzner. “In Ontario, a car is stolen every 14 minutes—this is completely unacceptable. These helicopters will be a critical tool in helping police stay one step ahead of the criminals who are stealing cars and committing crimes on our streets.”
The investment in new helicopters was announced in the 2024 Ontario Budget and builds on the province’s $51 million investment to support the OPP’s Provincial Auto Theft and Towing Team and Ontario’s Major Auto Theft Prosecution Response Team.
“We are investing directly in the wellbeing of Ontario families, who deserve to feel safe in their homes and communities,” says Minister of Finance Peter Bethlenfalvy. “With these five new helicopters patrolling our roadways and neighbourhoods, we’re sending a clear message to criminals that we do not tolerate threats to public safety.”
Co-led by Toronto Police Service and the OPP, the GTA multi-agency Provincial Carjacking Joint Task Force made 124 arrests, laid 749 charges, recovered 177 vehicles and seized eight firearms between September 2023 and March 2024.
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