The number of calls from the public to report hate incidents remains high

Since the start of the conflict in the Middle East on October 7, 2023, Toronto police have received a very high number of calls and reports from members of the public who wish to report hate incidents.

This trend continued in April 2024, reads an updated version of the annual report of the Toronto Police Service’s hate crimes unit.

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Toronto Police Deputy Chief Robert Johnson offered this update on his department’s annual report on hate crimes to the Toronto Police Services Board on Friday.

He clarified, during his comments to the commission, that October, we responded to 1270calls for service for suspected hate crimes”,”text”:”since October 7, we have responded to 1,270 calls for service for suspected hate crimes”}}”>since October 7, we have responded to 1,270 calls for service for suspected hate crimes.

Anti-Semitism continues to account for more reported hate crimes than any other categoryhe added.

The report states that approximately % of hate crimes reported in2023 involved property damage events (i.e. graffiti) in circumstances where the description of the suspect was limited or non-existent. These incidents often took place in the absence of the victim or witnesses, which poses significant problems for this type of investigation”,”text”:”52% of hate crimes reported in 2023 concerned events of damage to property (i.e. graffiti) in circumstances where the description of the suspect was limited or non-existent. These incidents often took place in the absence of the victim or witnesses, which poses significant problems for this type of investigation”}}”>52% of hate crimes reported in 2023 involved property damage events (i.e. graffiti) in circumstances where the description of the suspect was limited or non-existent. These incidents often took place in the absence of the victim or witnesses, which poses significant problems for this type of investigation..