Law enforcement agencies across Ontario are receiving funding from Queens Park to help keep the worst offenders in jail.
Solicitor General Michael Kerzner announced Thursday morning that the provincial government will invest $24-million over three years to prevent such offenders from committing more crimes while they are out on bail.
Under the Bail Compliance and Warrant Apprehension (BCWA) Grant program, police agencies will receive funding to set up bail compliance systems. The money may also be used to assign officers to keep an eye on people who are at high risk for reoffending.
"It is unacceptable that repeat and violent offenders are committing serious crimes while out on bail," said Kerzner. "By giving police the tools they need to track and arrest offenders who violate their bail conditions, our government is helping to ensure Ontario is one of the safest jurisdictions in Canada."
Southwestern and Midwestern Ontario law enforcement agencies receiving funding include the following.
Chatham-Kent Police Service - $1,200,000
Elgin County OPP - $300,000
London Police Service - $1,200,000
Owen Sound Police Service - $900,000
St. Thomas Police Service- $1,062,862
Windsor Police Service and LaSalle Police - $2,400,000
Wellington OPP - $1,065,930
The BCWA program is part of a $112-million crime-fighting investment announced by the provincial government in April 2023.
Other measures already implemented include the creation of a bail compliance unit with the OPP Repeat Offender Parole Enforcement (ROPE) Squad, a provincewide "dashboard" to help monitor repeat offenders, and the establishment of bail teams within the courts.
The Solicitor General's Office said 17 municipal police services, four First Nations police services, and 12 OPP services will receive BCWA funding.
Complete information on the BCWA program can be found on the province's official website.
