Buy & Sell Zones Announced During Crime Prevention Week

Chief Myron Demkiw announced plans for Toronto Police buy-and-sell exchange zones at the start of Crime Prevention Week, outlining a new measure to help protect residents from robberies, thefts and fraud linked to online marketplace transactions.

Speaking at 11 Division on November 2, he said the zones will launch across the city by the end of the year, providing designated locations at police stations where buyers and sellers can meet.

“More and more people are buying and selling items online,” said Demkiw. “That’s made buying and selling easier than ever before, but we have seen an increase in robberies, thefts and fraud related to these transactions. In some cases, people agree to meet in private locations. In other cases, incidents happen in public spaces. Bad actors are taking advantage of these opportunities and we want to help stop that.”

The locations will have camera coverage to provide an additional level of safety and deterrence. Officers will not participate in the exchanges.

Demkiw also announced community walks in collaboration with divisions across Toronto during Crime Prevention Week, giving residents and businesses opportunities to share concerns directly with officers.

“We’ll be sharing crime prevention information, and we will also be there to listen,” he said. “Our officers will engage with communities and hear concerns directly from residents, local businesses and community leaders.”

Residents can contact their local division for walk locations and details.

The initiatives reflect the theme of this year’s provincial campaign, Protecting Ontario Together.

Crime Prevention Week runs from November 1 to 7.

Demkiw said prevention also depends on officers developing relationships with the people they serve, pointing to the expansion of the Neighbourhood Community Officer (NCO) program and Community Safety Hubs.

The Service opened its fourth Community Safety Hub at Dufferin Mall in September, creating another accessible location for residents to speak with police, obtain safety information and connect with community resources.

“Our NCOs do essential work, and one important part of their role is knowing their community well,” Demkiw said. “These strong relationships allow officers to engage and participate in the community, have a positive presence, and defuse conflicts before they have a chance to escalate.”

Ontario Solicitor General Michael Kerzner said the initiatives demonstrate why communities and governments must work together to support public safety.

“Crime Prevention Week is important, and the initiatives that the Chief spoke about are important,” he noted. “It’s another way to engage our communities. Our communities across our city know that they also have a role to play in combating crime. When they see something, they must report it, and they can report it right to Toronto Police Service.”

Kerzner thanked Service members and emphasized the importance of ensuring police have the resources to do their work.

“We rely on the strength of our communities, on the diversity of our communities, to stand up for one another,” he said.

Mayor Olivia Chow presented a proclamation recognizing Crime Prevention Week and described prevention as a responsibility shared by police, residents, businesses and community organizations.

“This week is about three things, keeping our neighbourhoods safe, thanking the officers who serve our city and recognizing the community partners, businesses and residents who look out for each other,” she said.

Chow highlighted investments in policing, youth mentorship, violence prevention, employment opportunities and mental health crisis response.

“When young people have hope and opportunity, they are less likely to go down the wrong path,” she said. “We’re investing in mental health crisis workers so people in crisis get the right response.”

Toronto Police Service Board Chair Councillor Shelley Carroll said prevention requires identifying risks early and strengthening relationships at the neighbourhood level.

“When we talk about public safety, we often focus on how we respond to crime, and that work is critically important,” she said. “But we also need to be thinking about how we can prevent crime from happening in the first place.”

Carroll said effective prevention includes officers knowing residents, neighbours looking out for one another and organizations addressing local challenges together.

“That’s why the Board continues to place such a strong emphasis on neighbourhood policing, community partnerships, and proactive approaches to crime and safety,” she said.

Dr. Joe Couto, representing the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police, recalled his family’s surprise after immigrating to Canada and discovering officers would invite them into conversation.

“We were shocked when we came to Canada that the police officers would actually invite you to come and have a conversation,” he said. “That was a big change for our family.”

Couto said prevention also involves investments in education, health care and social services.

“That’s what crime prevention is all about. It’s bringing people together, and police officers are just part of the solution,” he said.

Toronto Police Association Vice-President Brian Callahan said members need support from police leadership, governments and the community.

“That’s what Crime Prevention Week is all about, coming together to recognize that we have more in common than we realize,” he said. “We all want the same thing: healthy and thriving communities because they are safe communities.”

He encouraged partnerships that support victims and create safer spaces for families.

“Our members cannot do this alone, have never wanted to do this alone, and we are grateful for events like this that unite us in the spirit of crime prevention and community safety,” added Callahan.