Targeting Guns And Gang Violence
July 7, 2009 11:56 AM
McGuinty Government Combats Organized Crime And Drugs on Toronto's Streets
Ontario is continuing its support of the highly successful Toronto Anti-Violence Intervention Strategy (TAVIS).
Established in 2006 by the Toronto Police Service, TAVIS helps to reduce illegal gang, drugs and weapons activities in communities by focusing on intervention, enforcement and community mobilization.
Additional funding of $10 million over the next two years will help Toronto police maintain four TAVIS Rapid Response Teams including one focused on criminal activity in Toronto's busy entertainment district.
As of May 2009, the strategy has been responsible for getting close to 600 firearms off the streets and more than 14,000 arrests.
QUICK FACTS
- TAVIS Rapid Response Teams are highly visible in the neighbourhoods they patrol, to deter crime and support law-abiding citizens.
- Police officers assigned to TAVIS have built positive relationships with more than 80,000 Toronto businesses and 171,000 local community members.
- TAVIS has been the model for similar anti-violence intervention strategies by 17 police services across Ontario.
- Ontario's total investment between 2006 and 2011 will be $27 million.
CONTACTS
- Laura Blondeau
Minister's Office
(416) 325-4973
- Anthony Brown
Communications Branch
416-314-7772
ontario.ca/safety
"The government continues to support TAVIS because TAVIS continues to deliver results for the citizens of Toronto. We remain steadfast in our commitment to working closely with our police partners to keep Ontario streets safe."
– Rick Bartolucci
Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services
"The TAVIS Rapid Response Teams are a great example of how innovations in crime prevention are being used throughout Ontario. Our communities are safer today as a result of strategies like TAVIS that focus on keeping illegal gangs, drugs and weapons off our streets."
– Chris Bentley
Attorney General
"With the government's support, my officers will continue to rid our neighbourhoods of guns, gangs and drugs and enhancing the relationship they have developed with law-abiding community members. That is what TAVIS is all about."
– Bill Blair
Chief of the Toronto Police Service
Communities
