Strengthening Safety in our Communities

I want to take a moment to update you on the work we’re doing—both locally in Don Valley North and citywide—to strengthen safety in our communities. This week, I joined Mayor Olivia Chow and Chief Myron Demkiw to launch Police Week in Toronto. It’s a moment to reflect not only on the important role that police play, but on how we’re building safety together through community programs, crisis response, and stronger partnerships.

Here in Don Valley North, one of the biggest steps forward has been the new 33 Division Community Safety Hub at Fairview Mall. This Hub was created after years of feedback from local residents and business owners who wanted to see a greater police presence in the neighbourhood—but also wanted something more than just traditional patrols. This Hub is different. It isn’t a substation for arrests or enforcement—it’s a space for education, outreach, and community connection.

At the Hub, officers have a visible, accessible presence where they can build relationships with local youth, talk to residents, and host community engagement sessions. It also gives our local police the chance to learn from the community—to understand what people are seeing and feeling on the ground. This is the kind of community policing we’re working to grow in Toronto: policing that is rooted in trust, transparency, and partnership. And right now, we are showing how this model can work.

That same approach is embedded in the City’s broader SafeTO strategy, which is helping us rethink how we approach community safety. We know that police alone can’t solve every safety challenge. That’s why SafeTO brings together multiple City services—including mental health teams, housing supports, and youth outreach programs—to deliver a more comprehensive response to violence and crisis.

For example, we now have mobile crisis teams and specialized call diversion programs that connect residents in distress with trained mental health professionals, not just police officers. That kind of early, compassionate intervention helps reduce harm and build trust—especially in communities where residents may not feel safe calling 9-1-1. These services complement the work being done by the 33 Division, local neighbourhood groups, and school safety programs.

We’re also seeing encouraging progress when it comes to crime trends and police response. Through my work on the Toronto Police Services Board, I worked closely with City and Police leadership to develop the 5-Year Hiring and Modernization Plan adopted in 2024—a plan I outlined in detail in this earlier eblast. Since then, we’ve seen real results: response times are improving, and key crime indicators are moving in the right direction. So far in 2025, violent crimes like robberies and assaults are down, and auto thefts—which hit record highs last year—have dropped significantly.

These improvements matter. When residents call for help, they deserve a timely, professional response. At the same time, we’re holding the Service accountable for how it uses resources and how it engages with the public. As Chair of the Toronto Police Service Board, I’ve made it a priority to ensure that this hiring comes with clear expectations around community presence, better data reporting, and stronger oversight.

Another area we’re watching closely is hate crimes. In 2024, we saw a troubling rise in reported hate incidents in Toronto—many targeting members of our Jewish, Muslim, and 2SLGBTQ+ communities. In 2025, reported hate crimes are trending downward, but we can’t afford to be complacent.

We know that underreporting remains a serious issue. Many victims of hate-motivated harassment or violence still don’t feel comfortable coming forward—because they worry they won’t be taken seriously, or because they’re unsure whether what they experienced “counts.” That’s why part of our work at the Board is to improve how we handle these reports. We’re expanding training for officers, improving public education, and making it easier for residents to report incidents in multiple languages and formats.

Feeling safe means more than just seeing the crime stats go down—it means feeling welcomed, seen, and supported in your neighbourhood. That’s what community safety really looks like. It’s not just about enforcement—it’s about making sure every resident, regardless of background, feels they have someone to turn to and a community that cares.

There’s still work to do. We need to keep investing in youth programming and community spaces. We need to make sure people with mental health needs get help before crisis strikes. We need to continue listening to those who say, “I don’t feel safe,” and work together to change that reality.

As your Councillor and as Chair of the Police Board, I remain committed to working with you every step of the way. If you have ideas, concerns, or questions about safety in your neighbourhood, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office. We’re here, we’re listening, and we’re ready to act.