Peterborough Police are receiving more than $535,000 in provincial funding to strengthen auto theft investigations and expand community crime prevention efforts.
The Ontario government has announced two grants for the Peterborough Police Service, including $291,996.10 through the Preventing Auto Thefts (PAT) Grant Program and $243,305.11 through the Proceeds of Crime Front-Line Policing Grant.
The auto theft funding will help police acquire specialized technology, surveillance equipment, licence plate recognition systems and additional investigative resources.
It will also support public education initiatives aimed at helping residents protect their vehicles from theft.
Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith says the investment will give local officers more tools to combat organized criminal activity.
“Auto theft is not just a property crime; it compromises public safety and impacts families across our region,” Smith said.
The funding is part of an additional $6 million being distributed to 22 police projects across Ontario for 2026-27.
According to the province, vehicle thefts have declined 36 per cent from their peak in 2023.
Ontario says it has now committed $24 million to the Preventing Auto Thefts Grant Program since 2023.
A second grant will support a new mobile community outreach van.
Peterborough Police will receive $243,305.11 over three years through the Proceeds of Crime Front-Line Policing Grant for its Community Crime Prevention and Outreach Project.
The funding will help introduce a mobile van designed to bring officers directly into neighbourhoods, community events and areas identified through police data as having crime concerns.
Police stress the vehicle will not serve as a mobile command post. Instead, it will provide a visible and accessible location for residents to speak with officers, learn about crime prevention and build stronger connections with police.
The grant will also support officer training focused on community engagement and public trust.
Peterborough Police Chief Stuart Betts welcomed both investments.
“We are very appreciative to be receiving both of these grants from the provincial government,” Betts said.
He added that the funding will help officers respond more effectively to auto theft incidents while providing residents with practical prevention advice.
Betts also said the service is looking forward to developing programming for the new community engagement van.
Together, the two grants represent $535,301.21 in provincial funding for the Peterborough Police Service.
