Police have seized 24 vehicles near Trinity Commons Mall in Brampton, Ont., marking the latest crackdown on street racing and related criminal activity in the area.
“We’ve heard you loud and clear. You’re fed up with the lawlessness that’s going on there, the dangerous driving, the large nuisance gatherings, the loud exhausts, and, of course, all the inherent safety concerns that come with all of that,” he said.
“We’re pretty fed up with it, too. You shouldn’t have to deal with it, and we’re doing our best to put it to an end.”
Peel police recently launched an enforcement blitz across Brampton and the neighbouring city of Mississauga to address the issue.
Peel Regional Police have long expressed serious concerns about road safety in the community. In the first half of this year alone, there were more than 20,000 driving-related charges issued by police, according to a report prepared for Brampton City Council this past summer. The offences included more than 4,200 charges for speeding, over 400 for careless driving, more than 1,300 for mufflers causing unnecessary noise, and over 900 for stunt driving and racing.
In response, Peel police launched Project E.R.A.S.E. (Eliminating Racing Activities on Streets Everywhere) in May, a strategic enforcement initiative that addresses poor and aggressive driving behaviour through education and targeted enforcement.
“To ensure the utmost safety on our roads, Peel Regional Police and our other partners will have zero tolerance for dangerous driving behaviours and street racing activities,” the force said in a press release announcing the initiative.
Bell-Morena noted that criminal activity has begun to decline following the recent operations, which he said indicates that “people are getting the message and our efforts are succeeding.” He noted that police presence will remain visible in these areas as law enforcement efforts continue to increase.
