Police in LaSalle and Windsor receiving provincial funding to combat repeat bail offenders

The Ontario government is providing $2.2 million to LaSalle Police Services and Windsor Police Services to help prevent repeat and violent offenders from committing serious crimes while out on bail.

The money comes from a $24-million provincial grant program called the Bail Compliance and Warrant Apprehension (BCWA) Grant program.

According to a government news release, the money will help establish dedicated bail compliance and/or warrant apprehension teams to monitor high-risk individuals. The funding is being delivered over three years and will also support new technology for a province-wide bail compliance monitoring system.

"It is unacceptable that repeat and violent offenders are committing serious crimes while out on bail," said Solicitor General Michael Kerzner. "By giving police the tools they need to track and arrest offenders who violate their bail conditions, our government is helping to ensure Ontario is one of the safest jurisdictions in Canada."

"Repeat, violent offenders belong in jail – full stop," said Essex MPP Anthony Leardi. "I am very pleased that our government is making investments to keep our community safe from violence."

The money comes just as Windsor police are reporting they recently re-arrested the same man for allegedly sexually assaulting a 15 year-old girl for a second time while out on bail.

The BCWA Grant program will support 17 municipal police services, four First Nations police services and 12 Ontario Provincial Police services.

"We are grateful to our provincial partners for coming through on funding this very important initiative that will enhance our capacity to track down wanted persons and enforce conditions of judicial release including bail," said LaSalle Police Chief Duncan Davies.