Ontario Expands Video Surveillance along Highways in Peel Region

Investment will deter aggressive driving and gun and gang violence

The Voice of Canada News:

The Ontario government is investing $410,000 in surveillance technology to help Peel Regional Police deter aggressive driving and gun and gang violence along two of Canada’s busiest highways. By strengthening the Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance system along Highways 410 and 403 police officers will be able to swiftly identify and stop dangerous driving and other criminal activity and improve public safety.

“Speeding, street racing and stunt driving are criminal activities that undermine communities and put innocent lives at risk,” said Solicitor General Sylvia Jones. “With this investment, Peel Regional Police will be better equipped to keep roads and communities safe by tracking and apprehending offenders who recklessly endanger law-abiding motorists and their families.”

According to Peel Regional Police Service, many of the aggressive driving incidents occurring within their jurisdiction have been linked to gun and gang-related violence and organized crime activities.

“Tragically, this year alone in our community, 36 lives have been lost as a result of traffic fatalities. The primary cause of these incidents is aggressive and impaired driving. This is an unacceptable risk to our community which has rippling effects on our collective safety and well-being,” said Peel Regional Police Chief, Nishan Duraiappah. “Peel Region has also experienced gun and gang violence on our roadways resulting in multiple homicides some of which have involved unintended victims. This investment will deter this reckless behaviour and allow us to respond appropriately and effectively to the activities that put lives at risk.”

This investment builds on the $6 million provided through the new Ontario CCTV Grant program over the next three years to help expand CCTV surveillance systems in more municipalities throughout the province.

“Ontario has some of the toughest penalties in North America when it comes to street racing and stunt driving and our message is simple: we have zero tolerance for these reckless behaviours,” said Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation. “We’ll continue to do everything we can to catch and deter those who drive dangerously. And this investment in CCTV will go a long way towards making our roads safer.”

“Improving the technology and information available to Ontario’s police and prosecutors is critical to deterring unlawful activity and holding offenders accountable in our communities and on our highways,” said Attorney General Doug Downey. “We are committed to standing up for law-abiding citizens in a safer Peel Region.”

QUICK FACTS

• Aggressive driving behaviours are subject to roadside impoundments and suspensions, fines of up to $10,000, six demerit points, post-conviction licence suspension and possible jail time.

• Provincewide, 52 per cent more stunt driving and street racing charges were laid during the COVID-19 period (8,209 charges), from March 2020 to August 2020, compared to the same time period in 2019 (5,426 charges laid). The largest spike in dangerous driving offences occurred in May, when 95 per cent more charges were laid in 2020.
• This investment is part of Ontario’s Guns, Gangs and Violence Reduction Strategy, which includes a total investment of approximately $106 million to combat gun and gang violence across the province with the support of the federal government.