Ontario Government Invests Over $290,000 For Peterborough Police to Combat Auto Theft

The Ontario Government has invested $291,996.10 through the Preventing Auto Thefts (PAT) Grant Program to help the Peterborough Police Service fight auto theft, announced on Monday.

Through the 2026–27 PAT Grant Program, Ontario is investing an additional $6 million to support 22 police projects across the province, bringing the government’s total investment in the program to $24 million since 2023. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Police Service.

The funding is being used to help maintain the province's downward trend in stolen vehicles, giving police officers more tools and resources to prevent vehicle theft, disrupt criminal networks and protect the community according to Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP.

“Auto theft is not just a property crime; it compromises public safety and impacts families across our region,” he said. “By providing the Peterborough Police Service with targeted funding through the PAT Grant Program, our government is ensuring our local police have the specialized technology, equipment, and resources they need to keep thieves out of our driveways and hold organized crime networks accountable.”

The funding supports the Peterborough Police Service’s specialized auto theft enforcement efforts, including the acquisition of advanced technology, surveillance equipment, license plate recognition systems, and enhanced investigative resources to track and prevent vehicle thefts. It will also support public outreach initiatives to educate community members on proactive vehicle protection measures.

“We are very appreciative to be receiving both of these grants from the provincial government.  The positive impact this type of investment will have on the safety in a community like ours cannot be overstated, and we are grateful to the provincial government for their recognition of these efforts and for their support of our municipality,” said Stuart Betts, Peterborough Police Chief. “To be prepared to more effectively respond to auto theft incidents and pass along proactive tips and protection measures to our residents helps increase feelings of safety. The Proceeds of Crime Grant will allow our members to be even more involved with our community. We are excited about developing the programming to support this new mobile community engagement van.”

Additionally, the Peterborough Police Service will receive $243,305.11 over the next three years—allocated at $81,101.70 annually—from the Proceeds of Crime Front-Line Policing Grant for the Community Crime Prevention and Outreach Project.

According to the Ontario Government, the Proceeds of Crime grant is designed to make police and community relationships more accessible by adding a mobile community crime prevention and outreach van. The van will visit neighbourhoods and community events, and be in areas where data show crime has occurred or may occur. 

The Mobile Community Crime Prevention and Outreach (MCCPO) van is not a command post. It is intended to invite community engagement as a high-visibility beacon of public safety and accessible crime prevention information.

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