Peel Police announce increase in officers

Yorkregion.com
August 30, 2018
The Canadian Press

Peel Regional Police say they have increased the number of front-line officers in response to a rise in gun violence in the region.

The force says the additional officers will help crack down on gun violence, especially on certain days of the week that see a significant spike in gun crimes.

Since June, 16 additional officers have been deployed on Thursday, and 41 officers on Friday and Saturday.

Renewed funding for the force's Strategic and Tactical Enforcement Policing Program will allow the deployment of another 12 officers on Friday and Saturday nights.

Police say these officers will be used for what they call "targeted enforcement," which includes vehicle and foot patrols to combat drug- and gun-related activity.

There were 76 shootings in Peel Region in 2017, while 63 shooting incidents have been reported so far this year.

Earlier this month, officers in Peel Region laid almost 80 firearms related charges.