Keeping Halton Safe: $300K Grant to Maintain Downward Trend in Vehicle Theft

Milton-The Ontario government is investing $300,000 through the Preventing Auto Thefts (PAT) Grant Program to support Halton Police Service in the fight against auto theft. The funding will help maintain the downward trend in stolen vehicles across the province, giving police officers more tools and resources to prevent vehicle theft, disrupt criminal networks and protect the community.   “Auto theft has a real impact on families and businesses in Milton and across Halton. Our government is investing $300,000 through the Preventing Auto Thefts Grant Program to support Halton Regional Police Service with the tools and resources needed to strengthen investigations, disrupt organized criminal networks and prevent vehicle theft. We’ve seen auto theft decline across Ontario, and this investment will help our local police continue that progress and keep our communities safe.”

— Zee Hamid, MPP for Milton   Through the 2026-27 PAT Grant Program, Ontario is investing an additional $6 million to support 22 police projects across the province, bringing the government’s total investment in the program to $24 million since 2023. The investment builds on broader provincial actions that have helped drive vehicle theft in Ontario down 36 per cent from its peak in 2023.   “Auto theft is down across Ontario because our government is making it a priority and is giving police the tools and resources they need to go after the organized criminals who are behind it,” said Solicitor General Michael Kerzner. “While we are seeing real progress, we will not let up. By investing in Halton Police Service, we are supporting the work of local police to disrupt criminal networks, prevent auto theft and protect families in Halton.   Halton Regional Police Service will use the funding to maintain staffing within its Organized Crime and Specialized Teams Unit, which targets criminal groups involved in auto theft. The funding will also support coordinated investigations and enforcement efforts, helping police pursue offenders and disrupt organized criminal networks through collaboration with district street crime units, project teams, and external agencies.

“Organized auto theft poses a significant threat to public safety, impacting victims, neighbourhoods, and our community’s sense of security. This grant will primarily support continued staffing within our Organized Crime and Specialized Teams Unit, which focuses on criminal groups involved in auto theft. Working alongside district street crime units, project teams, and external agencies, we take a coordinated and holistic approach to prevention, enforcement, and education. We’ve made a meaningful dent in organized auto theft, but our work is far from over. We will continue to pursue offenders disrupt criminal networks and investigate these crimes so our residents can feel safe and secure in their homes and communities.”

– Jeff Hill, Deputy Chief, Halton Regional Police Service   The Preventing Auto Thefts Grant Program provides OPP-policed municipalities, municipal and First Nations police services with specialized training, additional investigative tools and resources and public education and awareness initiatives.   Quotes –   “Residents in Halton Hills should be able to live safely and without fear. Through this investment of $300,000, our government is helping to ensure that auto theft continues to decline in our community. We should expect neighbourhoods that are safe and secure.”

-MPP, Joseph Racinsky   “For families across Oakville North–Burlington and Halton, having a vehicle stolen is more than a financial loss — it can leave people feeling vulnerable and unsafe,” said Effie J. Triantafilopoulos, MPP for Oakville North–Burlington. “This $300,000 investment in Halton Regional Police Service will give our police officers additional tools and resources to prevent auto theft, strengthen investigations and disrupt the organized criminal networks behind these crimes.”