Peel Police STEP Team Doubles Illegal Firearm Seizures in 2024, Traces Majority to U.S.

This year, Peel Regional Police’s Strategic and Tactical Enforcement Policing (STEP) team has seized more than double the number of illegal firearms than last year, and more than triple the amount when compared to 2022.

STEP, an initiative that operates as part of the Specialized Enforcement Bureau, is focused on reducing gun and gang violence in the Peel Region. In 2024, this team has removed the following from the streets of the region:

• 53 illegal firearms;

• 63 magazines; and

• 915 rounds of ammunition.

Of the 53 seized by the STEP, 41 have been traced back to the United States of America and the remaining 12 are still being traced.

“The alarming increase of illegal firearms in our communities is a serious risk to public safety, and I want to commend our officers for their continued efforts to remove more and more of these weapons from our streets,” said PRP Chief Nishan Duraiappah. “As a Chief and community member, it is re-assuring to know that we have dedicated officers working tirelessly around the clock to ensure our safety and well-being.”

The dedicated efforts of this team have also led to 50 arrests, 461 Criminal Code charges, and 40 drug-related charges in relation to these seizures. Of the 50 charged, 25 were released from custody, while 15 were already before the court facing charges and 31 had previous conditions.

While this has been an unprecedented year for the STEP, the firearms seized by this team only account for about a quarter of all the firearms seized by PRP. To date, PRP has seized 205 illegal firearms, up from 143 in 2023, including the largest seizure in the service’s history of 71 firearms seized as part of Project Chrome in June.

“On average, we are seeing an illegal firearm seized by our officers every 36 hours,” said PRP Chief Duraiappah. “Addressing gun and gang violence is a top priority for our service, and the results of STEP are a prime example of what we can achieve with continued investments in policing and public safety.”

STEP was first introduced in 2007 through funding and support from the Government of Ontario. In 2022, PRP received a further financial commitment of $1.5 million over three years from the Government of Ontario through the Gun and Gang strategy to enhance public safety by reducing gun and gang activity within the cities of Mississauga and Brampton.

“I am pleased to see Peel Regional Police made significant progress getting illegal guns off our streets this year,” said Solicitor General Michael Kerzner. “We will never apologize for being determined when it comes to public safety including supporting services like Peel when they put forward proactive programs to keep our communities safe.”

STEP officers deploy in geographical areas that have the highest statistical concentration of gang, firearm and drug activity throughout the Region of Peel, conducting proactive patrols to enhance police visibility and assist with community safety and wellbeing. This approach identifies enforcement opportunities, promotes gang suppression, and creates meaningful partnerships with community members.

“Getting illegal guns off our streets is essential to supporting public safety,” said Associate Minister of Auto Theft and Bail Reform and MPP for Brampton North, Graham McGregor. “Our government is proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Peel Regional Police as they undertake important initiatives to protect our communities.”

Anyone with information about this matter can contact the Specialized Enforcement Bureau at (905) 453-2121, extension 3504. Information may also be left anonymously by calling Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or visiting peelcrimestoppers.ca.