TPS and TPA speak out on Parking Assaults

With assaults on Toronto Police Service Parking Enforcement Officers (PEOs) on the rise, Chief Myron Demkiw and Toronto Police Association President Jon Reid addressed the issue at a news conference at headquarters on July 23.

“Our organizations are coming together to share this important message to you today, stressing the severity of the situation,” said the Chief. 

In 2021, there were assaults on six officers. The number increased to 15 the following year and, in 2023, there were 46 members assaulted. 

As of July 18, a total of 27 PEOs have been assaulted.

In most cases, they were assailed while serving a parking ticket.

“This is unacceptable behavior,” Demkiw pointed out. “This has a huge impact on their personal and professional lives. I know it can be challenging and sometimes frustrating to find parking in the city, but violence is never the answer. The Toronto Police Service does not tolerate acts of violence towards our members or any member of the community. One assault of a Parking Enforcement Officer is one too many.”

In addition to issuing parking tickets, PEOs helped recover more than 1,100 stolen vehicles, facilitated more than 21,000 vehicles towed, assisted officers with 16 arrests and provided support to 246 special events.

They also provide operational support through language interpretation, emergency support, crime management and prevention as well as assisting with corporate and local community policing initiatives.

In addition, they regulate parking through by-laws application, respond to the public and private parking concerns of the community, support special events and demonstrations by ensuring the safe and unobstructed movement of vehicular and pedestrian traffic and assist with the safe and orderly flow of traffic.

Demkiw reminded the public that the consequences are serious for assaulting a PEO.

“They could be charged with assaulting a Peace Officer, the same as if they had assaulted any uniform police officer,” he added. “These charges can lead to a conviction, imprisonment, fines, a criminal record and prevent you from travelling and getting a job. To those who would resort to violence over a parking ticket, think twice.

“Parking Enforcement Officers are civilian members doing an essential and challenging job in our city. They are committed to our communities and enforcing the City’s traffic by-laws, choosing to be of service to our residents and visitors. The Toronto Police Service is committed and I am committed to ensuring their safety.”

Of the Service’s more than 8,000 members, 370 are PEOs.

“Our members go to work every day, keeping our streets safe and our roads moving and they deserve to go home to their families unscathed,” said Reid. “They do not deserve to be cursed or spat on. They do not deserve to be pushed, punched or kicked. And they most certainly do not deserve to be driven at or forced to jump out of the way of a moving car.”

He said the officers offer more than the tickets they write.

“They deserve our respect,” noted Reid. “It is our hope that this campaign will stop the criminal behaviour we have seen targeting our PEOs. To risk jail time over a $30 ticket is beyond understanding. As a city, we must be better than this. We must demonstrate civility towards each other and towards members of the Toronto Police Service. Without them, our streets would be less safe for everyone.”

A PEO for a decade, Area Supervisor Christopher Butterfield has been assaulted five times. 

During a Toronto Transit Commission relocate for construction, a woman jumped on his back, trying to struggle him from behind while uttering death threats. While she was on the ground, she was reaching for her purse.

Butterfield fled and called for backup. A kitchen blade was retrieved from her purse.

“It is getting tougher for us to do our jobs today than it was 10 years ago,” he said. “We are recognizing that and making adjustments for our safety. We need the community to realize we are just doing our jobs.”

Of her 23 years with the Service, Carol Raymond has been a PEO for the last 12 years. 

“I try to educate people,” the former Auxiliary member said. “I tell people to check the signs before they move away from their vehicles to ensure they are parked legally. I like what I do in trying to make sure that traffic flows smoothly in this busy city.”

About eight years ago, a taxi driver hit Steve Loder while trying to evade a parking ticket.

“When you are assaulted, it changes the way you do your job,” he said. “I am now careful when I approach people. It is not the easiest job, but I love what I do in terms of interacting with citizens.”

Patrol Supervisor Zeshan Shaikh is the Chief Steward of the unit that provides help to PEOs who have been assaulted.

“I tell them to stay positive and not take it personally because it is directed to the uniform they wear,” he said. “I also tell them not to take it home with them.”