Ontario Putting More Repeat Violent Offenders Behind Bars in Essex County

ESSEX COUNTY — The Ontario government is providing $2.2 million to LaSalle Police Services and Windsor Police Services to help prevent repeat and violent offenders from committing serious crimes while out on bail. The funding is part of the province’s plan to help protect communities, support victims of crime and keep people safe.

“Repeat, violet offenders belong in jail – full stop,” said Anthony Leardi, MPP for the Riding of Essex. “I am very pleased that our government is making investments to keep our community safe from violence.”

MPP Anthony Leardi and Staff Sergeant Brian Caffarena from the Amherstburg Detachment of the Windsor Police.

Through the Bail Compliance and Warrant Apprehension (BCWA) Grant program, the government is investing $24 million across the province to help establish dedicated bail compliance and/or warrant apprehension teams to monitor high-risk individuals. The funding is being delivered over three years and will also support new technology for a province-wide bail compliance monitoring system.

“It is unacceptable that repeat and violent offenders are committing serious crimes while out on bail,” said Solicitor General Michael 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.”

The BCWA Grant is part of a $112 million investment to strengthen the province’s bail system and ensure repeat and violent offenders comply with their bail and court-ordered conditions. Other initiatives include:

The creation of a Bail Compliance Unit within the OPP’s Repeat Offender Parole Enforcement (ROPE) Squad
The establishment of Intensive Serious Violent Crime Bail Teams within the court system
A new province-wide bail compliance dashboard to help monitor high-risk offenders with the most accurate data possible

“We are grateful to our provincial partners for coming through on funding this very important initiative that will enhance our capacity to track down wanted persons and enforce conditions of judicial release including bail,” said Duncan Davies, Chief of Police for the LaSalle Police Service. “We are pleased to partner with the Windsor Police Service and local Crown Attorney’s office by committing the necessary resources to this joint venture with the ultimate goal of making our respective communities more safe and secure.”

The BCWA Grant program will support 17 municipal police services, four First Nations police services and 12 Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) services.

QUICK FACTS

Ontario is 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.
In November 2023, the Ontario government introduced the Enhancing Access to Justice Act, 2023 that will, if passed, make it easier for more victims of crime to sue an offender for emotional distress.

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