DRYDEN — Kenora–Rainy River MPP Greg Rickford has announced a provincial investment of $118,000 for police services in Dryden and Sioux Lookout to expand video surveillance systems, in a bid to combat gun and gang violence.
The Dryden OPP detachment will receive $70,000, and $48,000 will go to the Sioux Lookout detachment.
“Our government is proud to deliver on our promise to provide police with the support they need to do their jobs effectively in our communities,” Rickkford said in a statement. “By enhancing closed circuit television systems in Dryden and Sioux Lookout, we are protecting the safety and security of families across the Northwest.”
The funding will come from the Ontario Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) Grant Program, which community partners and police use to upgrade outdated CCTV equipment. These cameras are usually placed in an area that has a high volume of crime.
The Ontario CCTV Grant program was launched in August 2020 as part of Ontario’s Guns, Gangs and Violence Reduction Strategy.
“We are determined to provide police services with the tools and resources they need 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, especially in areas of gun and gang violence and other serious crimes.”
The Dryden OPP and Sioux Lookout Police Services Board are two of 20 police services across the province to receive a grant for 2022/23.
