Port Hope Police Service gets $229K to help combat auto theft

The Port Hope Police Service has received more than $200,000 to help reduce auto theft and associated criminal activity. /David Piccini photo  

By West Northumberland Independent staff

The Port Hope Police Service (PHPS) is receiving a $200,000-plus boost from the provincial government earmarked for reducing the number of vehicle thefts in the municipality.

Ontario has allotted $229,580.92 through the Preventing Auto Thefts (PAT) Grant Program to support PHPS to combat auto theft, Northumberland-Peterborough South MPP David Piccini has announced.

The funding targets maintaining the downward trend in stolen vehicles across the province, giving officers more tools and resources to prevent vehicle theft, disrupt criminal networks and protect the community, according to a release from Piccini’s office.

“Our government is committed to giving police the tools and resources they need to combat auto theft and keep our communities safe,” said Piccini. “I am proud to see this investment supporting the work of (PHPS) Chief (Tim) Farquharson and the (PHPS) as they continue to prevent auto theft, disrupt criminal activity, and protect our residents.”

Through the 2026-27 PAT Grant Program, Ontario is awarding an additional $6 million to support 22 police projects across the province, bringing the government’s total reported investment in the program to $24 million since 2023.

According to the province, the funding is part of broader provincial actions that have helped drive vehicle theft in Ontario down 36 per cent from its peak in 2023.

“Auto theft is down across Ontario because our government is making it a priority and is giving police the tools and resources they need to go after the organized criminals who are behind it,” said Solicitor General Michael Kerzner. “While we are seeing real progress, we will not let up.

“By investing in (PHPS), we are supporting the work of local police to disrupt criminal networks, prevent auto theft and protect families in Port Hope.”

 Farquharson has also welcomed the funding.

“While Port Hope is a smaller community, we are not immune to the impacts of auto theft and the associated criminal activity that often accompanies it. Crime has no geographical boundaries, and we recognize the influence of broader regional trends, including those originating in the Greater Toronto Area, as well as crimes of opportunity involving stolen vehicles,” explained Farquharson.

The renewal of the PAT grant will “provide valuable support” for the police service to strengthen its efforts to prevent and combat auto theft, support investigations, and educate residents on practical steps they can take to protect their vehicles. The chief said this funding also helps police services respond to the broader risks associated with vehicle theft, including related violent crime.

“Auto theft is not just a big-city issue – it is a concern for communities of every size,” said Farquharson. “Continued investment through the PAT grant will help ensure that smaller police services like ours have the resources to implement initiatives tailored to local needs, protect our residents, and contribute to a co-ordinated, province-wide response to auto theft and the criminal activity connected to it.”

The PAT grant program provides OPP-policed municipalities, municipal and First Nations’ police services with specialized training, additional investigative tools and resources, along with public education and awareness initiatives, stated provincial officials.