In a bid to tackle the surge in auto thefts plaguing Brampton, the city initiated the Auto Theft Reduction Pilot Project, yielding promising outcomes. The last half of 2023 witnessed a remarkable 37% decrease in vehicle thefts across five designated hotspots in Brampton, attributed partly to the implementation of this program.
Following a staggering number of vehicle thefts recorded in Mississauga and Brampton in previous years, totaling 7,660 incidents in 2022 alone, authorities launched the innovative pilot project. With 5,806 vehicles reported stolen in 2022 and another 7,660 thefts occurring in Mississauga and Brampton combined, the need for decisive action became imperative.
The initiative involved distributing 5,000 signal-blocking Faraday bags to residents residing in five identified high-theft areas. These areas, which had reported 60 vehicle thefts between January 1 and June 18, experienced a significant reduction in stolen vehicles following the distribution of the Faraday bags. Subsequently, the number of stolen vehicles plummeted to 38 in the latter half of the year within these targeted zones, representing a tangible success.
Moreover, the impact of the pilot project extended beyond the designated areas, with a 45% decline in auto thefts observed on streets adjacent to the pilot zones. The report presented to a council committee underscored the effectiveness of this intervention in curbing auto theft and fostering a safer environment for Brampton residents.
In a recent meeting attended by the best minds in law enforcement in southern Ontario, Mayor of the City of Brampton, Mr. Patrick Brown, emphasized the urgency of addressing auto thefts. He highlighted the need to implement solutions identified by Peel Regional Police two years ago without further delay. Mr. Brown stressed the importance of scanning shipping containers leaving the country immediately, rather than waiting for three years. He argued that other industrialized countries have successfully implemented similar measures without disrupting the supply chain, emphasizing that Canada must follow suit. He also expressed concern about Canada being a source country for stolen goods, emphasizing the need for proactive measures to combat this issue.