Ontario grant program helps Belleville Police Service improve technology

BELLEVILLE — The Ontario government is investing $64,336.51 to help the Belleville Police Service expand its video surveillance program and better protect the community.  

The funding is being delivered through the Ontario Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) Grant Program and can be used to replace outdated equipment, expand or enhance current technology and install new or additional CCTV surveillance cameras in areas where gun and gang violence, illegal drug activity and human trafficking are prevalent.

“Crime is becoming more sophisticated, and we need to ensure policing agencies have the tools they need to investigate and to uphold the law,” said Todd Smith, MPP for Bay of Quinte. “Upgraded video surveillance technology is one of those tools that will help keep Belleville safe.”

Tyler Allsopp, the Chairman of the Belleville Police Services Board, welcomed the funding.

“As the Belleville Police Service continues to invest in technology to make Belleville ‘the Safest Community in Ontario,’ it is this type of collaborative support from the provincial government that allows us to work toward that goal,” he said. “This grant will permit us to move forward with replacing and improving the aging video infrastructure in the downtown core and across the city.”

TheBelleville Police Service is one of 24 police services across the province receiving funding with more than $2.8 million being allocated through the 2023-2024 CCTV Grant program.

“Our government is taking action to keep Ontarians safe,” said Solicitor General Michael Kerzner. “CCTV surveillance systems are an important part of local police work to detect, prevent, and deter criminal activity. The systems also enhance police efforts to investigate crimes and provide evidence necessary to lay charges.”

QUICK FACTS

  • The CCTV Grant was first introduced in 2020. Since that time, the Ontario government has allocated approximately $7.4 million in funding for surveillance systems to police services across the province.
  • The grant funding covers 50 per cent of project costs up to a maximum of $200,000 for each successful project.
  • The Ontario government is investing $163 million to immediately strengthen the province’s efforts to fight crime including combatting bail non-compliance and auto thefts.

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