Windsor police have announced the results of a significant three-day enforcement initiative targeting one of the city's most challenging neighbourhoods. The operation, which took place from November 20 to November 22, resulted in 19 arrests and the laying of 36 criminal charges.
Focus on a High-Risk Area
The concentrated police effort was centered on the 300 and 400 blocks of Glengarry Avenue on the east side of downtown Windsor. This area has been repeatedly identified by authorities as a hotspot for criminal activity, prompting ongoing police action.
According to a police release issued on Tuesday, the operation was conducted by the Problem-Oriented Policing (POP) unit in partnership with the Windsor Essex Community Housing Corporation. Officers specifically prioritized apartment buildings throughout the area, which have a documented history of drug-related incidents and violence.
Charges and Police Strategy
The criminal charges filed during the three-day period were serious in nature. They included offences such as break-and-enter, robbery, assault, and failure to comply with a release order.
Staff Sergeant Brian Caffarena commented on the broader goals of the operation, stating, "This operation is part of our ongoing commitment to public safety in Glengarry. Beyond addressing criminal activity, we continue to work closely with our health and human services partners to support residents and enhance the overall quality of life in the neighbourhood." This statement highlights a dual-strategy approach that combines law enforcement with community support services.
Part of a Larger Crime Reduction Effort
This recent blitz is not an isolated event but rather the latest in a series of targeted anti-crime crackdowns in the downtown Glengarry area. In a similar operation conducted just two months prior in September, police arrested 31 individuals on a total of 39 criminal charges.
The charges from the September initiative included two counts of break-and-enter, five charges of theft under $5,000, two counts of possession of stolen property, and twelve charges of failure to comply with a probation order. The repeated operations demonstrate a sustained focus by the Windsor Police Service on abating crime in this specific community.
For individuals affected by crime, Windsor Police direct the public to Victim Services Windsor Essex County at 519-723-2711 or the Victim Assistance Unit at Windsor Police at 519-255-6700, ext. 7179.
