More dangerous criminals are being released on bail soon after they are arrested.
The York Regional Police arrested 17 individuals allegedly connected to a criminal organization. Six of them were out on bail at the time of their arrest. Seven have since been released.
The police announced the conclusion of Project Skyfall on Tuesday. This investigation lasted a year and resulted in 17 people charged, three firearms recovered, and the equivalent of over $14 million in illegal drugs being seized.
“Investigators were able to conduct a large-scale investigation that culminated with 17 suspects arrested and 83 charges laid,” said the police in a press release. “Six of these suspects were on bail or another form of release at the time of their arrests, four were bound by weapons prohibition orders, and one suspect was accessing the databanks of the Ministry of Transporation to benefit the criminal network.”
Deputy Chief of Investigations Alvaro Almeida said at a press conference following the announcement that seven of the suspects have already been released on bail.
“These individuals pose a danger to our community. They should have been held in custody, but unfortunately, they have been released. This needs to change,” said Almeida.
Canada’s premiers previously called on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to reform the bail system.
The Liberals shifted the blame to the provinces.
Police officers executed 48 search warrants that resulted in recovering two handguns, one shotgun, and various drugs with a street value exceeding $14.4 million.
The criminal network was alleged to be actively planning home invasions, armed robberies, and trafficking drugs.
Almedia said that home invasions in the York region have increased by 116%. In 2021, a total of 18 home invasions were reported. So far, in 2024, 39 have occurred.
The police shared a video of a home invasion at the press conference. It highlighted suspects holding a family hostage and demanding money before the police intervened. The invasion is what spurred Project Skyfall.
Police can be heard telling suspects to put their hands up. One suspect was taken into custody, but two others fled the scene.
Almeida said that while the video was powerful, it failed to capture the extent of trauma and terror enacted by an armed robbery and home invasion.
A constable with Toronto Police Services previously suggested that residents should leave their keys accessible to auto thieves to prevent being harmed in a home invasion.
Almost half of those arrested by an Ontario carjacking task force were out on bail.
Sometimes, people can’t even reach 911.
According to CBC, an Ontario man was put on hold three times by 911 as an armed group broke into his home and held his daughter at gunpoint on Tuesday, the same day as the announcement from York Regional Police.
While the police’s hands remain tied with the bail system, Almeida urged York residents to get to know their neighbours, establish bonds, and look out for one another.