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Toronto has seen a 69 per cent increase in hate crimes against Jewish people in the wake of Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel, according to the city’s top cop.
Year-to-date, Chief Myron Demkiw’s force has fielded reports of 350 hate crimes, a 40 per cent increase over the first nine months of last year.
“While many different communities have been targeted, the greatest increase has been against the Jewish community by 69 per cent,” Demkiw told reporters at Toronto Police Headquarters.
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“We strongly encourage the reporting of any suspected hateful act to police.”
The Toronto Police Service’s hate crime unit investigates “every reported instance of hate, including on the ground at demonstrations to gather evidence and investigate any suspected hate crimes or hate speech or signage,” Demkiw said.
“This includes the presence of flags that promote terrorist organizations as identified by Public Safety Canada. We remind everyone that charges can be laid at any time.”
Toronto police have made 72 protest-related arrests since Oct. 7, 2023.
“On Monday evening we arrested a woman at Pearson International Airport who was wanted for offences related to two separate demonstrations — one in November and one in March,” Demkiw said, noting she was trying to leave the country.
“And last night a person who was wanted by police from a previous demonstration was seen in a crowd and also taken into custody.”
Police will continue to “ensure that demonstrations are safe while people assemble to express their views,” he said.
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“But let me be clear, hate has no place in Toronto, and we stand united in protecting our diverse communities. We know emotions are intense and as demonstrations continue, we must balance the right to assembly with the need to maintain public order and public safety.”
Some demonstrators have become “increasingly confrontational” in recent weeks, Demkiw said. “We have seen assaults on officers, including the use of weapons and physical attacks. These actions are dangerous for everyone.”
The chief promised such behaviour will not be tolerated. “Our officers will not hesitate to enforce the law and make arrests where warranted,” he said.
For people with family members “directly affected by the violence abroad, the feelings of helplessness and frustration are real,” Demkiw said. “But we must stand together as a city. And violence and hate, whether directed at each other or at the police is not the solution.”
He spoke Wednesday morning about his force’s approach to safety in Toronto in advance of this coming Monday’s one-year anniversary of the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel that involved taking 250 hostages and killing about 1,200 people. In the wake of that attack, Israel began intense bombing and ground campaigns in Gaza that have killed tens of thousands of Palestinians. And earlier this week, the Israeli military announced its soldiers were crossing into southern Lebanon, vowing to destroy Hezbollah military infrastructure.
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“The ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to deeply affect communities across our city and we know that in the coming days and weeks we will be seeing difficulty in our community as a result,” Demkiw said.
Since Oct. 7, 2023, Toronto police have dealt with more than 1,500 demonstrations across the city, “and conducted thousands of proactive visits to schools, places of worship and community centres to ensure the safety and security of our residents,” he said.
“As tensions rise around the world and we approach the anniversary of October 7, we know world events always have an impact here at home. This includes the potential for increased protest activity and acts of violence.”
Toronto residents should notice an increased presence in the coming weeks of officers in uniform and plainclothes across the city, he said.
“Marked police vehicles will be patrolling some communities with static red and blue lights on their rooftop bars to enhance visibility,” he said. “In addition, three mobile command posts will be stationed in Jewish neighbourhoods, one at Bathurst and Glencairn, another at Bathurst and Sheppard, and a third at Bathurst and Finch.”
On top of that, another mobile command post “will be deployed to various mosques across the city,” Demkiw said.
“The Toronto Police Service will be a visible and reassuring presence for as long is as necessary.”
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