‘Fight the ticket, not our officers,’ Toronto police seeing rise in violence against Parking Enforcement Officers – NOW Toronto

Amid rising cases of assaults on Toronto’s Parking Enforcement Officers (PEO), police are urging the public “to think twice about turning to violence” when getting a parking ticket.

Toronto’s Parking Enforcement Unit, comprising 370 uniformed civilian members across 158 neighbourhoods, has increasingly faced incidents of violence while carrying out their duties.

The Toronto Police Service (TPS) and the Toronto Police Association (TPA) are teaming up to address the safety, health and, wellbeing of their PEOs given the “disturbing trend in the rise of assaults on these members” since 2023, TPS Chief Myron Demkiw said in a press conference on Monday.

Demkiw says there were six assault cases on parking enforcement officers in 2021, doubling to more than 15 in 2022. 

In 2023, 46 members were assaulted, and as of July 18, there have been 27 assaults on PEOs so far this year, a statement by TPS said.

“In most of these cases, the member was assaulted while they served a parking ticket. This is unacceptable behaviour. This has a huge impact on their personal and professional lives,” Demkiw added. 

“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,” TPA President Jon Reid said. 

The police stresses that PEOs are civilian members and assaulting them carries the same legal consequences as assaulting a sworn police officer, potentially leading to imprisonment, fines, or a criminal record that can “prevent travel and job opportunities.”

Beyond their primary duty of enforcing parking regulations, PEOs contributed to the recovery of over 1,100 stolen vehicles, prevented more than 21,000 vehicles from being towed, assisted in 16 arrests, and supported 246 special events in 2023.

“It seems every week we are learning of another Parking Enforcement Officer being cursed at, spat on, pushed, or punched. In some cases, the same member has been assaulted more than once. And in rare cases, thankfully, they require medical treatment for their injuries. This must stop. If you do get a parking notice, fight the ticket, not our officers,” Reid continued. 

When asked about potential factors contributing to this rise, such as parking shortages and congestion, Demkiw acknowledged public frustration but underscored, “resorting to violence on our members is unacceptable, and will not be tolerated.”

He highlighted recent measures taken to enhance officer safety, including mandatory training in crisis communication, occupational health, safety protocols, and de-escalation techniques when confronting aggressive individuals.

“One assault on a Parking Enforcement Officer is one too many…and I am committed to ensuring their safety,” Demkiw concluded.