Keep Our City Safe Together

Recent crime trends are impacting the public, businesses and the perception of public safety.

“People are worried about auto theft, break and enters and gun violence to name only a few,” said Staff Superintendent Don Belanger at this year’s Ontario Crime Prevention Week launch at the Jane & Finch Mall on November 4. “As police officers, our number one job is to keep people safe. This means making arrests and going after criminals.”

He said focusing on prevention is always a policing priority.

“Crime Prevention Week is an opportunity to ask residents to get involved, whether it is by learning more about local safety resources or by looking out for your neighbours,” said Belanger. “Crime prevention is a shared responsibility. It requires all of us to work together to help keep our homes, communities and workplaces safe.”

Throughout the year, the Service holds a variety of crime prevention initiatives.

“I think of last month’s interfaith Prayer Walk to build bridges and stand up against violence,” Belanger said. “I think of the Hate the Hate Campaign, promoting safe spaces for 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. I think of large-scale collaborations like the Provincial Carjacking Joint Task Force. We are always there to collaborate with partners like Toronto Crime Stoppers, Victim Services Toronto and others on a wide range of issues to protect our communities.”

The Senior Officer thanked the Retail Council Canada and the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police for including the Service in the creation and implementation of the Retail Safety and Security Guide that was released during Small Business week on October 21st.

The document can be downloaded here and is among many resources on the tps.ca/crime-prevention webpage.

Belanger also encourage residents and business owners to reach out to their local Division Neighbourhood Community Officer or Crime Prevention Officer to schedule a Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design audit to increase the safety and security of their property.

“Another concerning issue we want to address is Intimate Partner Violence,” he said. “As you know, November is Intimate Partner Violence Awareness Month. During the month, we will be raising awareness about the various agencies that assist victims of Intimate Partner Violence, in addition to the police, through a social media campaign.”

He said the Victim Services Toronto “Ask for Angela” campaign is another example of a community collaboration.

When victims of gender-based violence discreetly ask a Loblaws, No Frills, or Shoppers Drug Mart employee for “Angela”, they can be escorted to a private location where the employee can contact police, Victim Services Toronto or facilitate a connection to a friend or family on behalf of the victim.

“All these initiatives count. All these initiatives make a difference,” Belanger said.

This year’s Crime Prevention Week theme is ‘Awareness in Action: Keeping Ontario Safe Together.’

“Each year, we mark this week to keep crime prevention top of mind,” said Mayor Olivia Chow. “The theme emphasizes how we can all work together to prevent crime. We are always stronger together. Being a victim of crime can have a big impact on your life. The psychological toll can last a lifetime never mind the financial loss… The City is proud to be collaborating with the police and the province on reducing crime and violence.”

Toronto Police Service Board member Shelley Carroll said Crime Prevention Week is more than just a moment on the calendar.

“This year, we want to make doubly sure that everyone embraces Crime Prevention Week as it is an important opportunity for all of us to unite and start working hand-in-hand to prevent crime and to build safe and resilient communities across Ontario,” Carroll said. “It is about empowering you to get involved. We should all see this week as a call to action. We can gather to discuss what matters most, we can take an active role in crime prevention in each of our neighbourhoods and we can make safety a priority. It is a shared responsibility that we should all embrace.”

Joe Couto, the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police Vice-Chair, also spoke at the launch.

“We are very proud to support our police services like Toronto Police Service in the incredible work that they do, not only what they do as the very best in the world in terms of law enforcement,” he said. “There is no greater police organization in the world that do policing like Toronto Police and all our Ontario Police Services. They also do the stuff you might not hear about in terms of police work which is the community collaboration, the community policing and supporting communities to empower themselves. Crime prevention is not just about responding to calls. It is also about building communities.”

Crime Prevention Week runs from November 3 to 9.