Four police forces in and around Toronto will become the beneficiaries of new helicopters the province intends to buy soon with the minister in charge of policing saying they will help in the growing car-theft crisis THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Four new police helicopters will be utilized to address the car-theft crisis and aid in locating missing vulnerable individuals, announced by the province and Toronto-area police forces.
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) will purchase four helicopters at a cost of around $36 million. Additionally, the province has allocated $10 million for the helicopters' operation over the next three years, stated Solicitor General Michael Kerzner.
This initiative comes as a response to the rising car thefts across the province, a trend described by the OPP as "unprecedented." The demand for high-end vehicles, often shipped to Africa and Europe, has fueled this surge in thefts, resulting in nearly 3,000 stolen cars over the past seven weeks alone.
The majority of these stolen vehicles are either driven or transported to Montreal, then smuggled out of the country through the city's port, according to the province.
Kerzner emphasized the need for enhanced measures to combat increasingly sophisticated criminals, stating, "As the criminals are getting more sophisticated, so are we." He underscored the government's commitment to tackling the issue, asserting that the helicopters would aid in apprehending criminals and responding to incidents on highways effectively.
While details on the operational aspects of the helicopters are yet to be finalized, Kerzner assured that information would be forthcoming. The purchase of the helicopters was outlined in the recent provincial budget, although specific details were limited.
The four new helicopters will join the existing fleet, including one helicopter in Durham and another in the nearby York Region, with the OPP already possessing two helicopters.
Durham Regional Police has operated its helicopter, Air1, for 25 years, which has proven instrumental in numerous operations. Equipped with thermal imaging technology, Air1 facilitates the detection of individuals hiding or lost in remote areas. Deputy Chief Chris Kirkpatrick highlighted the helicopter's significant role in locating missing vulnerable individuals, particularly the elderly suffering from dementia.
Kirkpatrick emphasized the importance of rapid response in locating missing persons, underscoring the helicopter's ability to swiftly locate and ensure their safety. He also noted the helicopter's role in enhancing officer safety on the ground by providing aerial surveillance and comprehensive situational awareness.
Toronto Police, which has not had its own helicopter for several decades, welcomed the government's decision to invest in air support. Chief Myron Demkiw emphasized the modernization of police response across jurisdictions in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and the improved capability to track and apprehend criminals involved in violent crimes.
However, not everyone views the helicopter investment positively. Ontario's New Democratic Party Leader, Marit Stiles, criticized the government's focus, arguing that resources should be directed towards preventing car thefts rather than chasing stolen vehicles.
Similarly, Green Party of Ontario Leader Mike Schreiner questioned the allocation of funds, suggesting that investment in addressing court system backlog and jail overcrowding would be more beneficial.
Despite the differing viewpoints, the introduction of these helicopters signals a significant investment in enhancing law enforcement capabilities in Ontario, particularly in combating car theft and ensuring the safety of vulnerable individuals.
