Municipal and First Nations police services can now apply for grants to buy new equipment aimed at enhancing safety in border communities.
Solicitor General Michael Kerzner revealed the $30 million fund during a visit to Windsor on Tuesday.
“This fund will help them purchase drones, and boats and advanced surveillance systems and secure intelligence technology which are key tools in the fight against border crime,” said Kerzner.
Windsor Police Chief Jason Crowley mentioned that this funding could allow the force to acquire a new marine vessel and “first-responder drones.”
“We could send a drone, say check out a scene of possibly an accident or even we see someone fishing, looks suspicious, are they crossing, we send a drone and we don’t have to use police resources immediately,” said Crowley.
Kerzner also announced a $2.5 million Border Integrity Investigative Fund to aid investigations into cross-border criminal activity.
Helicopters promised in the 2025 Ontario Budget to support enforcement at key border crossings are still on track. The helicopters will be operated by the Ontario Provincial Police with assistance from the Windsor Police Service and the Niagara Regional Police Service.
“Helicopters have long proven their value by providing that air support to help arrest a situation that might be developing; it provides greater guidance for the ground forces and it’s a great tool,” said Kerzner.
The new helicopters aren’t expected until 2027; however, the OPP has access to one that could be deployed in the region if needed.
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