Windsor and LaSalle police are keeping a closer eye on violent or repeat offenders out on bail thanks to a grant from the provincial government.
The two police services have partnered to form the Offender Management Unit. This specially trained team is responsible for monitoring high-risk individuals placed under house arrest, curfew, or electronic monitoring.
"To prevent the recidivist offender from reoffending, from going back out and committing more crimes. It's all about public safety," said Windsor Police Inspector David DeLuca
The team is made up of three full-time officers, one part-time officer, and a civilian crime analyst.
"They have a list of individuals and they simply go out and check on their conditions. If they have conditions under house arrest we'll attend the address and make sure the individual is in place. Many individuals have sureties which they must be in the company of at all times and the officers essentially just go out and keep tabs on them and make sure they're doing what they agreed to do," said DeLuca.
During its first three weeks of operation, the team conducted 14 compliance checks leading to the arrest of eight offenders and arrest warrants issued for three other people who were non-compliant.
The Offender Management Unit was created with a $2.2 million grant from the province.
