Strengthening Police Action, Engaging Community Groups To Tackle Gun Violence

       
July 23, 2012
Provincial and Toronto Anti-Violence Teams To Become Permanent

Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty announced today secured, permanent funding for the Provincial and Toronto Anti-Violence Intervention Strategies (PAVIS and TAVIS) and a 30-day report back by Minister of Children and Youth Services Eric Hoskins and Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services Madeleine Meilleur on further actions to make communities safer.
PAVIS and TAVIS specialized teams work with partners to target illegal gang, drugs and weapons activities in communities by focusing on intervention, enforcement and community mobilization. Funding was set to expire next year. Notwithstanding the deficit situation, the McGuinty government will dedicate permanent funding for these specialized teams.
Other immediate measures the government is taking to target guns and gangs and tackle the causes of crime include:

• Investing $500,000 from the Proceeds of Crime Program to support stronger coordination among Toronto police, GTA police forces and the OPP in targeting gangs and getting guns off the street.
• Fast tracking $500,000 in support to Toronto Community groups through the Safer and Vital Communities program.
• The Attorney General will bring together guns and gangs experts to make recommendations that will lead to stronger prosecutions and a safer environment for those who come forward to testify against perpetrators.
• The province has already funded 542 officers in Toronto and Chief Blair said he will refocus existing officers from lower-priority areas to focus on guns and gangs. The province will ask the OPP to also consider whether they can do the same.

These are immediate actions the government will take.
Ministers Hoskins and Meilleur will also begin working immediately with police, community, business, and youth leaders and report back in 30 days. The group will review the many policing programs and community supports and create an action plan on which programs should be re-focused and what strategic new investments need to be made.
The McGuinty government is committed to taking strong action to get guns and gangs off the street, provide positive alternatives for youth and ensure safer communities and neighbourhoods for Ontarians.  

QUOTES

"Ontario families have the right to feel safe and to be safe in all our communities. We need a serious plan that includes strong policing and strong social supports. We need to do both. We need that balance. And we all have a responsibility to make that happen."

 – Dalton McGuinty
Premier of Ontario

QUICK FACTS

• Last year, Toronto recorded its lowest murder rate in 25 years. In 2007-09, Ontario had one of the lowest violent crime rates in Canada. Violent crime in Ontario is down 13 per cent since 2003.
• TAVIS has contributed to nearly 22,000 arrests.
• 22 police services participate in PAVIS -- the provincial extension of TAVIS: Amherstburg, the Anishinabek, Barrie, Belleville, Brantford, Durham, Guelph, Halton, Hamilton, Kingston, LaSalle, London, Niagara, Nishnawbe Aski, Ottawa, Peel, Greater Sudbury, Thunder Bay, Waterloo, Windsor, York Region and Treaty Three police services.

LEARN MORE

• Find out more about TAVIS.