Pubdate: Wed, 23 Nov 2005
Source: Brampton Guardian (CN ON)
Copyright: 2005 Brampton Guardian
Contact:  http://www.thebramptonguardian.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1485
Author: Vic Dhillon
Note: Vic Dhillon is MPP for Brampton West-Mississauga
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?199 (Mandatory Minimum Sentencing)

PUTTING MORE OFFICERS ON THE STREET

People should feel safe and secure in their homes, places of work and 
communities.

This is a basic principle. Safe communities are strong communities. 
And it is strong communities that build a prosperous Ontario.

Our government has always placed a high premium in making our 
communities safer. That's why, during the election, we promised to 
help municipalities hire 1,000 new police officers across the province.

With a recent announcement by Monte Kwinter, the Minister of 
Community Safety and Correctional Services, I'm happy to say we're 
delivering on that promise.

Through our Safer Communities- 1,000 Officers Partnership Program, 
$37.1 million will be invested every year to help strengthen 
municipal police services.

As part of this program, 500 officers will be designated for 
community-based policing, and the other 500 will focus on six 
specific priority areas of great concern to Ontarians:

Youth crime;

Guns and gangs (of particular concern of late in the GTA);

Organized crime, especially marijuana grow ops;

Dangerous offenders;

Domestic violence;

Protecting children from Internet luring and child pornography.

Northern and First Nations communities, long ignored by previous 
governments, stand to benefit greatly from this initiative.

Under a new grant formula, Northern and First Nations communities 
qualify for enhanced funding, capping off at $70,000 per officer 
annually. Sixty officer positions are being reserved for those same 
communities, with the remaining 940 positions receiving a funding cap 
of $35,000 per officer annually.

We have also earmarked 400 positions for officers hired since Oct. 
23, 2003, the beginning of our mandate. That means that officers who 
have already been hired and trained will be eligible for funding 
under our program.

With more police officers focusing on community policing, 
particularly in serious areas such as guns and gangs, an increased 
police presence will make a world of difference in fighting crime and 
making our streets more secure.

As Peel Regional Police Chief Noel P. Catney put it: "Policing in 
today's environment unquestionably poses unique challenges to all men 
and women seized with providing personal safety and security. I, and 
all members of Peel Regional Police, deeply appreciate the sincere 
commitment of Minister Kwinter and his ministry in allocating 
additional funds, allowing us to hire police officers, thereby adding 
to front line response."

Here are other measures are also being implemented to further reduce crime:

Ontario is the first province to enact legislation requiring 
mandatory reporting of gun shot wounds by health professionals; our 
Attorney General is leading the discussion with the federal 
government calling for the elimination of conditional sentences for 
gun crimes and reviewing the application and effectiveness of the 
10-year mandatory minimum sentencing for gun crimes; We introduced 
new legislation to help local authorities identify and combat indoor 
marijuana grow-ops. The illicit drug trade helps fuel the illicit 
firearms market. And these markets are very lucrative, since firearms 
often command between two and five times their original cost; And to 
ensure that offenders are better supported and supervised upon their 
release into the community, we recently hired 40 more parole and 
probation officers.

At the heart of our government's approach is a desire to be tough on 
crime and tough on the causes of crime.

We have also extended in perpetuity the existing Community Policing 
Partnership that also helps to fund 1,000 police officers per year. 
Across the province, our government will help pay for 2,000 police 
officers a year, every year.

Our government knows that safer communities lead to more prosperous 
communities.

And by placing 1,000 more police officer on our streets, our 
government is moving closer to achieving its goal of making Ontario a 
more secure, stronger province for future generations to come.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman