With car thefts continuing to be a problem in Guelph, and the rest of Ontario, the hope is a near $860,000 investment from the province will put a dent in the issue locally, and drive those numbers down.
The provincial money is part of a three-year, $18 million investment so police services can combat and prevent auto theft.
As of Nov. 29, there have been 166 motor vehicles stolen in Guelph this year. There were 259 stolen vehicles reported in all of 2022.
“These grant funds will assist in the much-needed enhancement of our prevention, education, and enforcement efforts to address the increasing volume and sophistication of auto theft crimes, and related violent crimes, occurring in our community,” Guelph police spokesperson Scott Tracey said in an emailed statement.
“These grant funds will provide for an enhanced level of service which would have been impossible given current resourcing levels and will assist in leveraging the expertise and collaboration of numerous enforcement partners across the region and province to support our citizens.”
