Latest news with #ZeeHamid
Toronto Sun
29-04-2025
- Toronto Sun
Ontario wants cops empowered to seize electronic devices for vehicle theft
Video from the York Regional Police helicopter shows numerous Toronto Police vehicles boxing in a vehicle stolen in a knifepoint carjacking in Scarborough. Photo by Screenshot / York Regional Police The province is making moves to get tougher on auto theft in Ontario. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The Ford government proposed legislation that would amend the Highway Traffic Act to give police the authority to search for and seize electronic devices that are intended to be used for vehicle theft. While authorities say the combined efforts of law enforcement and government saw vehicle theft in Ontario decrease by 16% in 2024, criminals are increasingly using keyless entry technology to steal cars from unsuspecting victims. 'A major part of protecting Ontario is keeping our families and communities safe from the threat of crime,' said Zee Hamid, associate solicitor general for auto theft and bail reform, in a statement. 'Passing this measure will support law enforcement in safeguarding our streets, and make it easier to stop car thieves in their tracks.' Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. If passed, the new legislation would allow police to search for and seize items such as key fob programming devices, fob scanners and some smartphone applications. Recommended video 'No matter where you live, every family deserves peace of mind knowing their homes – and their vehicles – are safe,' said Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria. 'By cracking down on these illegal devices, we're disrupting criminal activity and giving police the tools they need to stop thefts before they happen, helping keep our communities safe for everyone.' In addition, the province is permanently establishing a dedicated Major Auto Theft Prosecution Response Team to focus on crime hotspots, such as Ottawa, Toronto, Brampton, Newmarket, Durham, London and Windsor. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The team provides legal advice and prosecutorial support to police services and helps dismantle organized crime networks, holding offenders accountable and cracking down on carjackings and home invasions. Since April 2024, the group has taken on over 80 prosecutions and provided legal advice on over 20 major investigations across Ontario related to more than 1700 stolen or targeted vehicles. 'Peel Regional Police welcomes the Ontario government's proposed legislation to help keep keyless entry devices out of the hands of criminals and further our fight against organized auto theft,' said Peel Regional Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah. Canada Federal Elections Canada Columnists Canada
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Ontario wants cops empowered to seize electronic devices for vehicle theft
The province is making moves to get tougher on auto theft in Ontario. The Ford government proposed legislation that would amend the Highway Traffic Act to give police the authority to search for and seize electronic devices that are intended to be used for vehicle theft. While authorities say the combined efforts of law enforcement and government saw vehicle theft in Ontario decrease by 16% in 2024, criminals are increasingly using keyless entry technology to steal cars from unsuspecting victims. 'A major part of protecting Ontario is keeping our families and communities safe from the threat of crime,' said Zee Hamid, associate solicitor general for auto theft and bail reform, in a statement. 'Passing this measure will support law enforcement in safeguarding our streets, and make it easier to stop car thieves in their tracks.' If passed, the new legislation would allow police to search for and seize items such as key fob programming devices, fob scanners and some smartphone applications. 'No matter where you live, every family deserves peace of mind knowing their homes – and their vehicles – are safe,' said Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria. 'By cracking down on these illegal devices, we're disrupting criminal activity and giving police the tools they need to stop thefts before they happen, helping keep our communities safe for everyone.' In addition, the province is permanently establishing a dedicated Major Auto Theft Prosecution Response Team to focus on crime hotspots, such as Ottawa, Toronto, Brampton, Newmarket, Durham, London and Windsor. The team provides legal advice and prosecutorial support to police services and helps dismantle organized crime networks, holding offenders accountable and cracking down on carjackings and home invasions. Since April 2024, the group has taken on over 80 prosecutions and provided legal advice on over 20 major investigations across Ontario related to more than 1700 stolen or targeted vehicles. 'Peel Regional Police welcomes the Ontario government's proposed legislation to help keep keyless entry devices out of the hands of criminals and further our fight against organized auto theft,' said Peel Regional Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah.
Global News
29-04-2025
- Global News
Ontario may let police seize car fob hacking tools in auto theft crackdown
Ontario is set to use its power over the rules of the road to try and drive a crackdown on thieves using electric devices to unlock and steal cars from people's driveways. On Tuesday, the government announced it would be proposing changes to the Highway Traffic Act to allow police who stop vehicles to search for and seize electronic devices used in auto theft. 'By cracking down on these illegal devices, we're disrupting criminal activity and giving police the tools they need to stop thefts before they happen, helping keep our communities safe for everyone,' Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria said in a news release. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Police have been increasingly concerned about a trend in Ontario that has seen car thieves relying on various electronic devices to trick and trip car locks and ignitions. For example, car thieves have used techniques including reading the radio frequency of key fobs lying in people's houses and magnifying them, and relaying them to vehicles to imitate a driver standing outside a car. Story continues below advertisement New legislation set to be proposed this week — if passed — would allow police to search for and seize electronic items that might be used for those kinds of vehicle thefts. Items police could look for include key fob programming devices, fob scanners and even some smartphone applications, the government said. 'This measure will support law enforcement in safeguarding our streets, and make it easier to stop car thieves in their tracks,' Zee Hamid, the associate minister of auto theft and bail reform, said in a statement. Ontario is not responsible for the Criminal Code, which is governed by the federal government. It is able to make changes to the Highway Traffic Act, however, which governs driving violations settled in provincial offences courts. The government said its new legislation would allow auto dealers, repair services and roadside assistance staff to use the electronic devices it would allow police to seize from other drivers.
