My Plan for Community Safety and Security

Nothing is more important than the safety of our families and our community.

Residents deserve to feel safe in their homes, on their streets, in their parks and places of worship, at community events and while using public transit. When people feel unsafe, quality of life suffers, businesses are affected and community confidence declines.

Over the last several years, communities across the GTA have faced rising concerns about auto thefts, organized crime, break-ins, hate-motivated incidents and public safety. Vaughan is not immune from these challenges. We must be proactive, innovative and relentless in protecting our residents.

Throughout my public service, I have always believed that public safety begins with strong partnerships between residents, York Regional Police, community organizations, schools, faith communities and local government. Over the last four years, I worked with my colleagues at Vaughan Council, York Regional Council and York Regional Police to support significant investments in policing, community safety and new technologies designed to prevent crime and protect residents.

The results include stronger crime-prevention programs, expanded use of technology, new public-safety tools, innovative drone-response initiatives and stronger partnerships to keep our neighbourhoods safe.

What Has Been Achieved Over the Last Four Years

Working with York Regional Police, York Region, Vaughan Council and community partners, significant progress has been made to maintain public safety and address emerging crime trends:

• Introduced the new Air2 patrol helicopter in March 2023, expanding York Regional Police’s ability to track suspects, locate missing and vulnerable people, support major incidents and respond to serious offences such as auto theft and carjackings. York Regional Police Air Support Unit yrp.ca
• Implemented York Regional Police’s Crime Prevention Strategy, built around Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design, community partnerships, data-driven policing and crime prevention through social development. York Regional Police Crime Prevention Strategy yrp.ca
• Expanded public access to crime maps, statistics and community-safety information, enabling residents and businesses to review current crime trends through interactive maps and dashboards. York Regional Police Crime Maps and Statistics yrp.ca
• Strengthened efforts to combat auto theft and organized crime through Operation Auto Guard and intelligence-led enforcement. Operation Auto Guard 2.0 recovered 15 vehicles valued at approximately $487,000 and resulted in 17 people facing 127 charges. Vehicle thefts were down 30 per cent as of October 31, 2024, compared with the same point in 2023. York Regional Police Operation Auto Guard 2.0 yrp.ca
• Achieved further reductions in serious vehicle crime in 2025, with York Regional Police reporting a 54 per cent decline in carjackings and a 36 per cent decline in auto thefts, bringing auto theft to its lowest level in five years. York Regional Police 2025 Organizational Outlook annualreport.yrp.ca
• Advanced York Region’s Community Safety and Well-Being Plan, bringing together municipalities, police, residents and community organizations to support preventive and community-driven initiatives. In 2025, related initiatives reached more than 24,996 residents, with 121 of 122 initiatives completed or underway by year-end. York Region Community Safety and Well-Being Progress Update york.ca
• Expanded partnerships with residents, youth, schools, businesses and community organizations through safety education, youth mentorship, Neighbourhood Watch, community outreach and crime-prevention programs. York Regional Police Community Engagement Programs yrp.ca
• Launched York Regional Police’s Drone First Responder pilot program, including deployment locations in Vaughan. Beginning in May 2026, remotely operated drones could be activated within seconds and arrive at specific emergency scenes within minutes, often before responding officers, to provide real-time situational awareness. York Regional Police Drone First Responder Program yrp.ca

My 6-Point Community Safety Plan

The Next Four Years

1Create a Vaughan Community Safety Intelligence Centre

I will champion the creation of a Vaughan Community Safety Intelligence Centre in partnership with York Regional Police, York Region, first responders, school boards and community organizations.

The Centre will coordinate:

• Crime mapping and safety trends;
• Auto theft prevention;
• Community safety drones;
• Emergency preparedness;
• Public safety cameras; and,
• Real-time public safety reporting.

Goal Prevent crime before it happens instead of simply responding after it occurs.

2Launch a Home Safety Rebate Program

I will introduce a Home Safety Rebate Program to help residents improve home security and protect their families.

Eligible upgrades may include:

• Security cameras;
• Smart doorbell cameras;
• Motion-activated lighting;
• Upgraded locks;
• Alarm systems; and,
• Vehicle theft prevention devices.

Funding will be achieved through savings identified through the Zero-Based Budget Review, operational efficiencies, partnerships, and external funding opportunities where available.

Goal Safer homes, fewer break-ins, and greater peace of mind.

3Fight for Bail Reform and Repeat Offender Accountability

Residents are frustrated when repeat offenders commit serious crimes, are released and quickly reoffend. Municipal governments cannot change criminal laws – but we must have a very loud voice to advocate for you.

I will work with York Regional Police, York Region, GTA municipalities and AMO to advocate for:

• Stronger bail provisions for repeat violent offenders, car thieves and organized crime offenders.
• Tougher consequences for repeat offenders who breach release conditions.
• More prosecutors, court resources and victim supports.

I will bring motions to Vaughan Council and York Regional Council calling on Queen's Park and Ottawa to strengthen public safety laws and hold repeat offenders accountable.

Goal Protect victims, reduce repeat crime, and keep dangerous offenders off our streets.

4Expand York Region's Drone First Responder Program

York Regional Police is already piloting a groundbreaking Drone First Responder program in Vaughan and across York Region. The pilot uses remotely operated drones that can be deployed in seconds and often arrive before officers, providing emergency responders with real-time situational awareness. The program is specifically designed for emergency response and is not used for routine surveillance.

I will advocate for expanding this technology and exploring additional uses such as:

• Catching criminals in the act;
• Securing social and religious events;
• Locating missing children and vulnerable seniors;
• Assisting with auto theft investigations;
• Supporting emergency response operations;
• Disaster response and extreme weather events; and,
• Public safety during major events.

Goal Faster emergency response and safer communities through modern technology.

5Make Parks, Trails and Public Spaces Safer

I will launch a Community Safety Infrastructure Program focused on:

• Improved park and trail lighting;
• Emergency call stations;
• Additional security cameras at municipal facilities;
• Improved sightlines and landscaping; and,
• Safer transit stops and public gathering spaces.

Goal Safer public spaces for families, seniors, and youth.

6Require Community Safety Accountability

Residents deserve transparency and results.

I will publish an annual Vaughan Community Safety Report Card measuring:

• Auto theft trends;
• Break-ins and property crime;
• Neighbourhood safety indicators;
• Emergency preparedness initiatives; and,
• Progress on safety commitments.

Goal Real accountability. Real transparency. Real results.

My Commitment

Every resident deserves to feel safe in their home, on their street, in their park and in their community.

Over the last four years, we strengthened policing, expanded technology, launched innovative programs such as Drone First Responder, and built stronger community partnerships.

Over the next four years, I will build on that foundation with smarter technology, stronger crime prevention, support for homeowners, safer public spaces and advocacy for tougher consequences for repeat offenders.

Safe Neighbourhoods. Safe Families. Safe Vaughan.