Peterborough Police are getting a major boost — nearly a million dollars in new provincial funding to help crack down on retail theft and human trafficking.
The $981,888 investment comes through Ontario’s Community Safety and Policing Grant Program — part of a $91-million provincial commitment to improve public safety across the province.
A portion of the funding will expand the Community F.I.R.S.T. (Focused Investigation Response and Support Team), which targets retail and provincial theft. The grant will allow four officers to continue operating in the unit and support technology upgrades to improve intelligence-led, data-driven policing.
Chief Stuart Betts says the investment will help officers better target repeat offenders and crime hotspots, improving overall public safety.
A dedicated $500,000 will go toward strengthening the service’s response to sexual violence and human trafficking through trauma-informed training, expanded CCTV coverage, and new automatic licence plate recognition technology.
Personnel will receive ongoing training, supported by specialized roles such as a Human Trafficking Investigator and a Domestic Violence Coordinator. Betts says the funding will help officers respond to victims more quickly and effectively.
The Peterborough Police Service also plans to install high-resolution Automatic Licence Plate Recognition systems to help track suspect vehicles and disrupt criminal activity that relies on transportation networks. Chief Betts says the new technology will give investigators stronger tools to identify and locate offenders more efficiently.
A community-led CCTV Steering Committee will oversee the technology rollout, ensuring transparency, accountability, and public engagement around community safety.
Peterborough’s project is among 127 initiatives funded across Ontario for 2025-26, addressing issues such as organized crime, mental health, and housing-related concerns.
(Written by: Noah Lorusso)
