Brampton supports initiative against gun and gang violence
Posted in: News Item
Date Posted: 2019-08-29
Organization Name: City of Brampton
The City of Brampton welcomed the joint federal and provincial announcement on the Initiative to Take Action Against Gun and Gang Violence in Ontario.
Brampton Supports Federal & Provincial Announcement on Initiative to Take Action Against Gun and Gang Violence
As a significant public safety concern for Brampton residents, the city recognizes the importance of taking a regional approach when tackling gun and gang violence and is committed to ensuring Brampton is a Safe City. Council approved $300,000 in the city’s 2019 Budget for Community Safety Projects, including recent allocations to expand Neighbourhood Watch Brampton across the city.
“Being a Safe City is a core priority of this council’s Term of Council priorities and we have long advocated that the guns and gangs problem is not exclusive to Toronto and Ottawa,” said Mayor Patrick Brown. “We have been fighting for Brampton’s fair share of funding and appreciate that following meetings with Bill Blair and Sylvia Jones, Brampton will receive this important funding to fight guns and gangs in our city. We will continue to focus on providing the necessary resources to keep Brampton a safe city to live, work, and play.”
The city welcomes the $54 million investment by the federal government in Ontario’s Guns, Gangs and Violence Reduction Strategy, which will help Brampton continue to address this issue. The city is ready to collaborate with Peel Regional Police and the Province of Ontario on the creation of a new Intensive Firearm Bail Team in Peel to support bail hearings and proceedings for gun-related offences in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
Supporting Community Safety Projects, Partnerships
The announcement is consistent with Brampton city council’s motion to take a collaborative and holistic approach on the issue of gun and gang activity and was part of council’s recent advocacy efforts at the Association of Ontario Municipalities Conference in Ottawa from August 18-21, 2019.
“Fighting the guns and gangs issue in Brampton requires partnerships, time, and investment from all levels of government,” said Councillor Charmaine Williams, Chair of Community Safety Advisory Committee. “Today’s announcement reflects the negative impact guns and gangs have on our community and our resolve to continue tackling this problem. We are dedicated to ensuring our youth and children have a safe community in which to live.”
The city anticipates working closely with Peel Regional Police to put forward public safety projects as the province establishes a GTA/Greater Golden Horseshoe (GGH) Gun and Gang Fund, focused on supporting community safety projects and partnerships in the GTA and Greater Golden Horseshoe. The city anticipates receiving further details on the application process and putting forward respective applications for this funding.