Ontario is developing a strategy to fight gun violence and gang activity — and Windsor could be helped by it, says Mayor Drew Dilkens.
Dilkens said he recently had a positive phone conversation with Michael Tibollo, the province’s new Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services.
The mayor said he reached out to Tibollo “to try and have a discussion with him about some of the issues we see happening on the streets of Windsor.”
“I’m as concerned as anybody else. We see the number of incidents of violent crime and homicide in the city … and we know the nature of (these incidents) is often related to drugs, to gangs, and obviously guns,” Dilkens said.
In August, Premier Doug Ford announced $25 million in new funding for measures against gangs and guns in the Toronto area.
Dilkens said he anticipates more Toronto-oriented initiatives are in the works, but he believes Tibollo appreciates Windsor’s distinct needs as a border city.
“The minister is someone who is familiar with Windsor. He attended the University of Windsor law school for three years back in the 1980s. He knows the community.”
From his talk with Tibollo, Dilkens said he is hopeful the crime solutions that are coming for Toronto will benefit Windsor as well.
“(Tibollo) didn’t have a lot of details. I know they’re working on it,” Dilkens said.
Earlier this year, the Windsor Police Services Board approved the hiring of 24 additional officers and the launching of a downtown foot patrol initiative.
This week, Windsor police representatives met with the Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Association — who were reportedly greatly pleased with the strengthened WPS efforts in the core.
dchen@postmedia.com