Durham police yesterday said Project Atlantis, a proactive enforcement and community engagement initiative, has led to hundreds of arrests, significant drug seizures, and increased police visibility in Downtown Oshawa.
Between April and July, members of the Central East Division Community Resource Unit worked alongside community partners to address public safety concerns through targeted enforcement, intelligence-led investigations, and ongoing engagement with residents, businesses, and community organizations.
A key focus of Project Atlantis has been disrupting the sale and distribution of illicit drugs that contribute to addiction, violence, victimization, and community disorder, said a police statement.
Throughout the initiative, officers completed more than:
- 1,300 hours of bicycle patrol,
- 160 hours of foot patrol,
- 64 hours of UTV patrol, and
- Nearly 100 hours dedicated to youth and school engagement.
These highly visible patrols enhanced police presence in the downtown core, waterfronts, trails, and parks, police said adding that Project Atlantis will continue to operate until the end of 2026.
As a result of Project Atlantis, between April and July 2026, officers:
• Made 267 arrests
• Issued 225 Provincial Offence Notices
• Responded to 218 calls for service
• Conducted 289 business and community engagement visits
Project Atlantis also resulted in several significant drug investigations and seizures. Through enforcement efforts, officers seized:
• Approximately 45 grams of fentanyl
• Approximately 674 grams of cocaine
• Approximately 12 grams of crack cocaine
• More than $10,000 in proceeds of crime
Project Atlantis demonstrates our ongoing commitment to enhancing community safety through proactive policing, enforcement, and meaningful partnerships, police said.
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