'ALARMING INCREASE:' Peel cops seize record number of firearms in 2024

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Most of the record number of illegal weapons seized by Peel Regional Police this year can be traced back to the U.S., police said in an update Tuesday.

Peel cops said its Strategic and Tactical Enforcement Policing (STEP) team seized 53 illegal firearms — more than double the number of illegal firearms seized the previous year and more than triple compared to 2022.

STEP, an initiative that operates as part of the specialized enforcement bureau with a focus on reducing gun and gang violence in Peel Region, removed 53 illegal firearms, 64 magazines and 915 rounds of ammunition in 2024.

Of the 53 seized, police said 41 have been traced back to the U.S. and the remaining 12 are still being traced.

“The alarming increase of illegal firearms in our communities is a serious risk to public safety and I want to commend our officers for their continued efforts to remove more and more of these weapons from our streets” Peel Regional Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah said in a news release. “As a chief and community member, it is reassuring to know that we have dedicated officers working tirelessly around the clock to ensure our safety and well-being.”

Peel police said STEP’s efforts have also led to 50 arrests, 461 Criminal Code charges and 40 drug-related charges in relation to these seizures. Of the 50 charged, police said 25 were released from custody while 15 were already before the court facing charges and 31 had previous conditions.

The firearms seized by this team only account for about a quarter of all firearms rounded up by Peel police, which has seized 205 illegal firearms, up from 143 in 2023. This year’s total includes the largest seizure in the service’s history with 71 firearms snapped up as part of Project Chrome in June.

“On average, we are seeing an illegal firearm seized by our officers every 36 hours,” Duraiappah said. “Addressing gun and gang violence is a top priority for our service and the results of STEP are a prime example of what we can achieve with continued investments in policing and public safety.”

STEP was first introduced in 2007 through funding and support from the Ontario government. In 2022, Peel police received a further financial commitment of $1.5 million over three years from the Ontario government to enhance public safety by reducing gun and gang activity within Mississauga and Brampton.

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