CRIME PAYS FOR DURHAM POLICE TOOLS

Police Receive $116,000 Grant From 'Robin Hood' Fund

WHITBY -- Durham police are getting new gadgets to help fight local
crime and it's being paid for by the criminals themselves.

On July 6, Ontario Attorney General Chris Bentley was in Whitby at
police headquarters to announce a $115,750 grant for Durham police,
which comes from proceeds of crime seized by police. The proceeds
include cash as well as money earned from the sale of property such as
cars and real estate.

Among the items that will be purchased by police are an infrared
camera with temperature-sensing technology which can be used to
identify marijuana grow ops, a hand-held metal detector which can help
police find guns and ammunition at a crime scene and digital cameras
equipped with night vision scopes and telephoto lenses.

Mr. Bentley called Ontario's civil forfeiture law a Robin Hood
law.

"It takes from the bad guys and gives to the good guys," he
said.

Durham police Deputy Chief Scott Burns was on hand to thank Mr.
Bentley for the funds. He said one of the notable seizures in Durham
under the forfeiture law was the Hell's Angels clubhouse in Oshawa.

Since 2003, other seizures across Ontario have included dozens of
homes used for crack houses and grow ops, vehicles used for street
racing and $8.2 million in illicit cash.

"It's a great way to turn the assets from illegal endeavours into
tools to prevent future illegal activities," said Deputy Chief Burns.

When it comes to the proceeds, money from the civil forfeiture law
first goes to compensate victims of crime and the remaining funds are
distributed to law enforcement agencies, which must file applications
for grants. Since 2003, about $5.7 million has gone to law enforcement
agencies.

"Durham Region has done very well; Durham Region has received just
under half a million over the past several years," said Mr. Bentley.

The technology purchased with the grant money will help Durham police
solve crimes.

"The technology presents opportunities, it supports good police work,
it makes the evidence we gather stronger which helps the prosecution,"
said the attorney general.

For example, when investigating a potential grow op, police may use
tips from neighbours, hydro bills and the results of the infrared
camera to ascertain that the home is a grow op.

"It helps us to keep our officers safe, it gives our officers a
tactical advantage," said Deputy Chief Burns.

Ajax-Pickering MPP Joe Dickson and Kawartha-Haliburton-Brock MPP Rick
Johnson joined Mr. Bentley for the announcement.

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Property seized under Ontario's Civil Remedies Act

Since 2003, a total of $15.3 million in property has been forfeited to
the Crown under the Province's Civil Remedies Act, which allows the
Crown to seize property and assets that are proceeds of crime. The
Province also has another $37.5 million in frozen property pending the
completion of civil forfeiture proceedings.

The Attorney General has used the Act to:

- - Forfeit two biker clubhouses, one in Oshawa and one in Thunder
Bay

- - Freeze bike clubhouses in London, Windsor, Sault Ste. Marie, St.
Catharines, Toronto and Niagara

- - Freeze two rooming houses in Orillia

- - Freeze crack houses in Hamilton, Chatham and Ottawa

- - Forfeit 50 properties including 34 grow ops and freeze another 47
grow ops

- - Forfeit and crush two street racing vehicles

- - Forfeit more than $8.2 million in illicit cash