Ontario Tackles Guns And Gangs In Toronto

 
 

June 24, 2008 12:26 PM

McGuinty Government Renews Toronto Anti-Violence Intervention Strategy

Ontario is investing an additional $5 million to help combat guns, gangs, organized crime and drugs on Toronto's streets, as part of the highly successful Toronto Anti-Violence Intervention Strategy (TAVIS).

The Toronto Police Service will use the funding to maintain four anti-violence response teams, including one focused on criminal activity in Toronto's entertainment district. As of December 2007, the strategy has resulted in getting more than 400 guns off the streets and in more than 10,000 arrests.

The Ontario government has invested in TAVIS for three consecutive years. The government provided $5 million in 2006 to establish the strategy and again in 2007 to continue and to expand it.

QUICK FACTS

 
  • Toronto Police seized 1,463 firearms in 2007, up 11 per cent from 2006.
  • The Toronto Anti-Violence Intervention Strategy is the Toronto Police Service's comprehensive strategy to address gun and gang crime in the Toronto area.
  • The McGuinty government has invested a total of $17 million in the strategy since January 2006.



Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services
ontario.ca/safety


 

"The results are clear - the Toronto Anti-Violence Intervention Strategy is working. We're continuing to invest in this strategy to fight guns, gangs and organized crime on Toronto's streets."

 – Rick Bartolucci
Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services

"In a few short years, the Toronto Anti-Violence Intervention Strategy has taken hundreds of guns off Toronto's streets. Stronger enforcement is a key part of our comprehensive plan to fight gun violence in Toronto."

 – Chris Bentley
Attorney General

"TAVIS is a Toronto approach that combines high-profile law enforcement, targeting those who choose violence, with community mobilization, working with local people to make their communities safer"

 – Bill Blair
Chief of Police, Toronto

 
 
 
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