Reporting hate crimes is essential for a safe and healthy city, whether it be directly to police or anonymously.
Toronto Crime Stoppers have launched a campaign to encourage reporting of hate crimes while bringing awareness to the devastating impact these crimes have on communities.
“Concerned citizens who see something and say something, whether by calling the police or making an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers, play an essential role in preventing and addressing crime in our city,” said Deputy Chief Rob Johnson at a news conference at police headquarters on April 9. “We will continue to investigate each and every instance of hate and we will continue to encourage members of our neighbourhoods and communities to report all incidents of hate.”
Citizens can report hate crimes by calling Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477 or submitting a tip online at www.222tips.com.
Since October 7 since demonstrations in the city stemming from the Middle East Crisis started, Service members have attended 941 hate crime calls for service and there have been 216 hate crime occurrences, resulting in 72 arrests and 182 charges laid.
Johnson said police are attending an average of 155 hate crime calls monthly.
Of the reported hate crimes so far in 2024, over half are anti-Semitic and last month was the highest number of anti-Semitic occurrences in the previous three years.
The second highest bias category this year is 2SLGBTQI+ hate crimes followed by anti-Black and anti-Muslim/Arab/Palestinian.
“It is important for us to highlight the underreporting of hate crimes,” Johnson said. “While underreporting of all categories of hate is a concern, I know from speaking with people in our communities that Islamophobia is a significant concern. And given our statistics, I am concerned about substantial underreporting.
“The impact of crime motivated by hate is far-reaching. It extends beyond the physical and emotional trauma suffered by the victim, affecting all members of the targeted community and beyond.”
Toronto Crime Stoppers Chair Sean Sportun said the campaign comprises a selection of social media ads and radio public service announcements.
“As Torontonians, we should all feel safe in our communities to move about without fear because there is absolutely no place for hate in our city,” he said. “We should all be empowered to stand up for what is right, even if it means going against what everyone else is doing. This is how we break the code of silence. By working together with aggressive campaigns like this, Crime Stoppers will continue to make a difference in the prevention of crime across our city.”
Superintendent Katherine Stephenson of Intelligence Services said hate knows no boundaries and its effects extend far beyond its immediate victims.
“Hate motivate crimes have an impact that is much larger than the singular offence, whether it be graffiti, harassment or assault,” she noted. “Regardless of whether these incidents meet the legal threshold of hatred, the fact remains that hate is evolving in our communities and this is very concerning for police.”
In the last six months, Toronto Police has implemented several measures to combat hate crimes.
The Hate Crimes Unit has expanded from six to 32 members, enhancing the Service’s ability to investigate and engage the community.
There are Community Outreach initiatives to encourage reporting, an online tool to provide the community with an alternative method to report hate-motivated graffiti was unveiled, educational resources, including a hate Crime Video Series and multilingual pamphlets were developed and Command Posts were set up in areas experiencing an increase in hate crimes.
In addition, community outreach is taking place at schools, businesses and places of worship, the Service is providing education to government agencies, academics, media outlets and community groups to promote hate crime awareness and training was recently provided to Parking Enforcement and Auxiliary Officers and Communication Services.
Stephenson reiterated that reporting hate crimes is important for several reasons.
“It not only triggers an investigation, but it allows us to identify trends, provide community support, address public safety concerns and implement preventative measures,” she said. “Hate crime data is also used to support data-driven deployments of officers to areas where the community needs us most.
“The reasons for underreporting are varied and include lack of understanding of what constitutes a hate crime, feelings of shame, the fear of retribution and uncertainty about the justice system. That is why we will continue to build trust by working alongside our community partners to break down barriers and develop relationships.”
Toronto Police Service Board (TPSB) supports the Service in its efforts to combat hate crimes.
“The Board is very much in support of Chief Demkiw who has repeatedly stated that hateful behaviour and criminality will categorically not be tolerated in this city and the Service will pursue any alleged or suspected cases of hate crime and violence,” said TPSB member Nick Migliore. “As he has forcefully expressed and the Board very much concurs that hatred will have no space in our city.”
He said the Board stands with the Chief in the deployment of additional resources to the Service’s Hate Crimes Unit
“And we call on members of the public to bring hate crimes to light,” added Migliore. “The more eyes and ears we have in the community to report hate crimes, the better positioned we are to deter and eliminate all acts, expressions and forms of hate crime in our communities. We know that the key to truly safer communities is an ongoing and meaningful partnership between the police and the public.”
The campaign theme is ‘Hate Crimes Weigh Heavily On Entire Communities’
Citizens can report hate crimes by calling Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477 or submitting a tip online at 222tips.com.