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Ontario invests $6 million in crime prevention initiatives

Jan. 16, 2024, London, Ont. – The Ontario government is fighting back against crime by investing more than $6 million in crime prevention initiatives. The funds, forfeited to the province as proceeds of crime following criminal prosecutions, will be used to support 23 projects by law enforcement agencies and community partners.

“Thanks to the hard work of our men and women in uniform, these funds are being reinvested back into our communities to help support victims, educate youth and increase awareness about crimes such as gang violence and hate,” said Solicitor General Michael Kerzner.

Since 2018, the government has invested more than $16 million in crime prevention initiatives through the Proceeds of Crime Front-Line Policing (POC-FLP) Grant program. This year’s grant funding will support a wide range of community safety projects including:

• Collaboration between police services and community service providers to increase awareness about hate crime
• Providing enhanced resources to help stop gang recruitment efforts, disrupt the sale of illegal drugs by organized crime groups and provide support to victims and others affected by crime
• Building positive relationships between law enforcement and schools, developing and implementing learning opportunities for youth, reducing and preventing gang involvement and street violence and educating youth about internet safety.

“We welcome the Ontario government’s funding for crime prevention initiatives like Project B.U.I.L.D.S. (Bringing Unity in London’s Diverse Society),” said London Police Service Chief Thai Truong. “Strengthening trust and increasing safety within our community are two key priorities for the London Police Service. In collaboration with our partners at Atlohsa Family Healing Services, and St. Leonard’s Community Services, we look forward to developing programming and services that support meaningful, proactive outreach to young people in our community.”

To date, the POC-FLP Grant program has funded 281 community safety projects across the province.