York Regional Police plans to hire more officers to combat the dramatic increase in violent crimes across the region, with the police services board approving the force's proposed 2025 budget of more than $480 million.
The budget will be presented to regional council next month, with a goal of final approval by Nov. 28.
"It's time," said Wayne Emerson, York Region chairman and CEO, at the police services board meeting Sept. 16. "It's time to do the right thing. We will put boots on the ground."
The board approved an operating budget of $441,495,000, a $31.4 million or 7.7 per cent increase over 2024. Of this, $28.6 million is related to wage costs.
The force requested more money because of an increase in violent crime. According to the YRP community safety portal, there has been a 50 per cent increase in weapons violations, a 240 per cent increase in vehicle thefts, and a 50 per cent increase in robberies over the last five years.
The $31.4-million increase will be divided two ways; about $12.6 million will be designated to existing staff, and $16 million will be used to hire an additional 154 staff of sworn and civilian officers.
Five new hires will support the police services board, 19 members will support the executive branch, 34 members for operations, 23 employees for support, 43 members for investigations, and 30 employees for administration.
The force states that York Region remains one of the safest communities in Canada. However, board member and Vaughan Regional Councillor Linda Jackson said this "sends the wrong message" as crime continues to rise.
"To say we're one of the safest communities is cold comfort to our residents, particularly in Vaughan," said Jackson. "In my own family, my daughter had two vehicles stolen."
Chief Jim MacSween said the force wants to provide the community with the facts while explaining its efforts to address crime.
"It is not lost on me or any of us at this table that our mission is to ensure citizens of York Region feel safe and secure," said MacSween. "I get it. They are not feeling that way. We are going to do something about it with staffing."
The board also approved a capital budget of $32 million. About $10 million will be designated to replace vehicles and a mobile command post, $8.9 million for a helicopter hanger and renovations, $6.7 million for equipment replacements, such as radios, use of force, and forensic equipment, and $6.4 million for information technology such as software and CCTV.
