Robust Response to Hate-Motivated Crime

By Ron Fanfair

Ron Fanfair

Writer/Photographer

Intelligence Services
Office of the Chief

The Toronto Police Service is committing a significant number of resources to address the significant spike in hate crimes in the city since the events in the Middle East began October 7.

Police officers have been attending almost daily demonstrations and gatherings to keep the peace, some with more than 25,000 participants.

Since October 7, there has been 78 hate crimes reported in Toronto compared to 37 for the same period last year.

In response to the dramatic increase, the Service has increased the size of the Hate Crimes Unit from a dedicated team of six officers to 21 investigators and eight Special Constables along with an analyst and a researcher position.

At a media conference at police headquarters on November 23, Intelligence Services Superintendent Katherine Stephenson said the additional resources dedicated to the Hate Crime Unit assist with the investigating of hate-motivated occurrences and help the unit expand its outreach to the community.

“Whether we are attending schools, businesses, religious institutions or other organizations, the Hate Crime Unit has been connecting with communities to address concerns, provide reassurances and explain how to report hate crimes and the importance of reporting,” she said.

“In addition to a visible frontline officer presence at demonstrations, officers on the ground also have access to a Hate Crime expert to consult regarding suspected hate crimes, hate speech and evidence collection.”

Stephenson said the Hate Crime Team is continuing to investigate the 78 hate crimes that have reported since October 7 and to arrest and lay charges where appropriate.

This includes 11 recent arrests made in relation to the hate-motivated mischief investigation at the Indigo Store on Bay Street on November 10.

Posters were glued to the doors and windows of the business and red paint poured on the windows and sidewalk.

An individual arrested four days later was charged with Mischief Over $5,000.

“The subsequent investigation by the Hate Crime Unit led to search warrants being executed on a number of residences and vehicles in Toronto yesterday, leading to the arrest of an additional 10 individuals who have been charged with Mischief Over $5,000 and Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence,” said Stephenson. “I want to thank all members of our Service, particularly those in our Hate Crime Unit and Intelligence Section for their dedication and relentless efforts over the past many weeks to keep our communities safe,” added Stephenson.

A new web form – found here – was recently launched to provide an additional avenue for the public to alert the Service about hate-motivated graffiti.

Since the form went live on November 8 there have been 90 submissions.

Since October 7, there have been 63 hate-motivated graffiti occurrences that were anti-Muslim/anti-Palestinian/anti-Arab. There were two reported in 2022.

There were 217 hate-motiviated graffiti occurrences that were anti-Semitic since October 7 compared with 19 reported during the same period last year.

Chief Myron Demkiw said 49% of the hate crime reported up until November 20 have been anti-Semitic.

Between January 1 and November 20 this year, there were 323 reported hate crimes in Toronto compared with 224 for the same period last year.

There has also been a troubling increase in hate crimes targeting LGBTQ2S+ communities. Nine hate crimes have been reported since October 7 compared to five last year, an increase of 80 per cent.

“These increases are deeply concerning and we are committing a significant number of resources to address it,” he pointed out.

Demkiw noted that the Service will continue to provide a heightened visibility and presence in communities across the city to ensure community safety and to provide residents across Toronto with a sense of security.

“This requires a significant investment of resources as we redeploy officers to prioritize immediate public safety needs, including our Priority One calls which are currently averaging over 25 minutes,” he said. “I can tell you that on a daily basis, 36 officers comprised of one senior officer and groups of Traffic Services, Detective Operations and Toronto Police College instructors are drawn across the city.”

The Chief thanked Service members who have been working tirelessly to ensure the organization prioritizes the safety and well-being of communities.

“Hate has no place here and the unwavering dedication of our members to this cause will continue for as long as it takes,” added Demkiw.

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