According to the OPP, there has been a 206% increase in violent car thefts and home invasions between 2021 and 2023 in Ontario.
Speaking to reporters earlier today, OPP Deputy Commissioner Marty Kearns said, “In 2023, there were 417 carjackings in the GTA (and) 125 of these involved incidents where firearms were seized. The prevalence of firearms in vehicle crimes poses a serious threat to public safety.”
He added that almost 3,000 vehicles had been stolen over the last seven weeks in Ontario.
“In many cases,” Kearns continued, “they were wanted for not only auto theft but also for other many serious offences, including possession of a loaded firearm, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, and impaired driving.”
“We have encountered accused as young as 16 years old driving vehicles recklessly in attempts to evade police. Several serious motor-vehicle collisions have resulted from these incidents, putting the lives of our police officers and the lives of members of the public at significant risk.”
Kearns added that the speed at which thieves are perpetrating crimes is also distressing, with criminals using sophisticated methods to bypass existing anti-theft technology.
These comments came during an announcement on the results of the interprovincial effort of Quebec police (being the province where many stolen vehicles have been recovered) and the OPP as part of Project Volcano.
Since October of last year, the special task force has arrested 121. This resulted in 730 charges and the recovery of 157 vehicles.
Controversial advice: “Just leave your fobs at the front door”
This update comes in the wake of controversial advice given to Ontario residents that’s gone viral.
As previously reported by The Counter Signal, Toronto police recently unveiled their newest unofficial policy to address car theft: just leave your fobs at the front door to make it easier for the thieves.
“To prevent the possibility of being attacked in your home, leave your fobs at your front door,” Const. Marco Ricciardi told concerned Toronto residents earlier this month. “‘Cause they’re breaking into your home to steal your car; they don’t want anything else. A lot of them that [the police are] arresting have guns on them. And they’re not toy guns. They’re real guns. They’re loaded.”
Given the recent numbers, now we know what would lead a constable to issue such risible advice. The situation is completely out of hand. And despite whatever strides have been made recently, it’s still not nearly enough to halt the uptick of crime in the province.
