Project ERNIE began February 19th and builds upon the success of recently concluded project B.E.R.T. This Project will be lead by Crime Manager Will Mason and will focus on street robberies and the affiliated groups of persons responsible.
The focus of the project is to identify and arrest the persons responsible for recent "street robberies" within Division 3. These persons have targeted the east and west mountain areas.
The project will be staffed with officers seconded from patrol, HEAT (High Enforcement Action Team), Criminal Investigation Branch and the Crime Managers office.
Anyone with information pertaining to street robberies on the mountain may contact Crime Manager Will Mason at (905) 546-2447, or Crime Stopper at (905) 522-TIPS.
View video stream of Acting Sergeant Will Mason discussing Project ERNIE.
Flash Video
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During the period of March, Division 3 experienced a 15% decrease in robberies when compared with March of 2006. In addition to the robberies that did occur 39% were cleared, as opposed to only 22% the previous year.
As mentioned previously, many of these offenders were also are responsible for other crimes. When compared with March of 2006 Division 3 also experienced an 18% decrease in Break and Enters, and a 29% decrease in Stolen Autos.
Statistics:
- Arrests 29
Criminal Charges 47
- CDSA (Drug) Charges 5
- Drugs Seized $1,864.00
- Property Recovered $19,890.00
- Clearances 7
- Warrants 14
- Youth Diversions 1
Conclusion:
The Project is deemed by the Investigative Team to have been a strong success. This is based not only on the reduction in robberies, but the increase in clearances of robberies. The timing of the Project coinciding with March Break, and reacting quickly to the Robbery problem was key in addressing these violent crimes prior to them creating fear in the community. In addition it is clear that this type of relentless pursuit has a wider reaching impact on crime within Division