News Release

Civil Forfeiture Funds To Support Local Police

Helping Smiths Falls Police Upgrade Patrol Cars

July 23, 2009

News

The Smiths Falls Police Service is installing new video cameras in its fleet of patrol cars.

The service will receive a grant of $43,740 from the Attorney General's Civil Remedies Grant Program to allow them to record police traffic stops. This system will improve officer safety and could be used to provide evidence in court.

The Civil Remedies Act allows the Attorney General to use forfeited funds to provide grants to police services to assist victims and prevent unlawful activities that result in victimization.

Quotes

"These funds are going directly to a tool that can help police prevent dangerous and impaired drivers in Smiths Falls. We are taking whatever measures are necessary to keep families and communities safe."
- Chris Bentley, Attorney General

"The Smiths Falls Police Service welcomes this grant from the Attorney General. This video patrol system will provide our officers with another valuable tool in our fight against impaired and aggressive drivers on our roads, and will help to make our community and its streets safer for all."
- Chief Larry Hardy, Smiths Falls Police Service

Quick Facts

• Since November 2003, $11 million in property has been forfeited to the Crown under provincial civil forfeiture law. An additional $39.7 million in property is frozen pending the completion of civil forfeiture proceedings.
• Civil forfeiture proceeds have funded approximately $1.2 million in compensation to victims of unlawful activity and $3.4 million in grants to law enforcement agencies.

Learn More

Learn more about civil forfeiture in Ontario. (PDF)
Read the Civil Remedies Act.

Contacts

Erin Moroz
Minister's Office, 416-326-1785

Brendan Crawley
Communications Branch, 416-326-2210

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