The Ontario Provincial Police Towing Enforcement Strategy team has taken strong action against criminal activities within the towing industry, laying over 1,800 charges to clean up the troubled sector.
Prompted by a surge in violent incidents, such as shootings linked to the towing industry in the Greater Toronto Area, OPP Staff Sgt. Reggie Dava emphasized the urgent need for enforcement measures. Working in collaboration with other police forces, the OPP team aims to weed out the bad actors tarnishing the reputation of the industry.
While acknowledging that most towing operators are law-abiding, Dava stressed the existence of a serious criminal element engaging in fraud, extortion, intimidation, and violence that cannot be overlooked.
Among the charges laid, a significant portion includes Provincial Offences Act charges and Tow and Storage Safety and Enforcement Act charges, reflecting a comprehensive approach to tackle unlawful practices within the industry.
The enforcement efforts have been further reinforced by recent arrests made by Toronto and Peel police as part of operations like Project Outsource and Project Yankee. These investigations have uncovered organized networks operating fraudulent schemes and resorting to violence to control towing operations.
The crackdown on criminal activities within the towing industry underscores the commitment to ensuring the safety and integrity of towing operations across the region.