There have been a series of sexual assaults in the Bloor and Christie area. My office has supported the community in taking back the space through rallies and walks in September and October. We also worked with dozens of you and METRAC, the Metropolitan Action Committee on Violence Against Women and Children, to conduct a community safety audit – the results of which can be found here.
We have been working closely with Toronto Hydro to have street lights replaced and with Urban Forestry to trim trees around lights, to help make our roads safer. I will be working with the community to implement the recommendations from the METRAC report and continue to learn what more we can do together. My office continues to also meet with the Community Police Liaison Committee and to speak with the police on this matter.
Below I have included the following:
- Our community safety audit report
- A summary of the work the police have done to date
- Some tips for residents on how they can help make our streets safer for women
- Important contacts for neighbours
1. Community Safety Audit
In early September my office worked with METRAC to conduct a community safety audit of the Bickford, Christie, Seaton Village and Annex West area. Dozens of residents walked through the neighbourhood at night for two hours and completed a survey that helped them record what improvements needed to be made.
While on the walk we also made a list of street lights that were burnt out and I immediately submitted them to Toronto Hydro asking them to place priority on them given the recent sexual assaults. They have replaced the lights, but more may have gone out since then. Please let me know if you spot burnt out street lights by emailing councillor_layton@toronto.ca or contact Toronto Hydro directly, the information is below. There is often a number on the poll of the street light that Toronto Hydro needs, or at least the address of the house it is in front of.
You can download the full METRAC report about the neighbourhood here: http://mikelayton.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Neighbourhood-Safety-Audit-Report-Card-2012_Final.pdf
I am working with local community groups to implement the recommendations in this report. If you are interested in helping or have ideas on what can be done, please email me at councillor_layton@toronto.ca.
2. What the Police have been doing
My office asked the police at various meetings for updates on the work they are doing in the neighbourhood. Late last week they gave us an update and the following is based on that. Note that they have likely done more since then.
The Police are investigating the sexual assaults in the neighbourhood. Eleven assaults were reported to police between July 19 and August 29. Three more assaults were reported to police on Saturday October 6 and Sunday October 7.
The police describe the suspect as male black, 15 to 45 years of age, 5’5 to 5’10, heavy stock or chubby build, very short or shaved hair. In each of these assaults the suspect approaches lone females from behind, sexually assaults them and flees from the area.
The police have assured my office and the community that they are dedicated to apprehending this offender and restoring a sense of safety to the Bloor Street and Christie neighbourhood. The Sex Crimes Unit in conjunction with 14 Division are utilizing significant resources to meet the demands of this investigation.
They have increased patrols in the area with primary response units, community response units, transit patrol units and auxiliary officers. Great effort is being made behind the scenes to complement the uniform policing efforts, but they cannot be discussed in order to preserve the integrity of the investigation.
The police have provided a summary of the resources deployed to date:
- Auxiliary officers conducted a neighbourhood canvas in an effort to gather information and create awareness of the incidents.
- Heightened patrols in area
- Media releases/alerts for every assault
- Press conference held at H.Q. media gallery Tuesday October 9th.
- Geographic profile completed
They have also promised the following:
- Information flyer
- Suspect composite drawing to be completed
- Community command post to be deployed in area providing additional info to public
- Sex Crimes Unit investigator to speak at the Christie Pits Residents Association meeting on Wednesday October 17
The Police are reminding the public that it is important to report any suspicious activity regarding these assaults, including being the victim of a sexual assault, immediately. They ask that anyone with information contact police at (416) 808-7474 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at (416)-222-TIPS (8477).
3. Some Tips for Residents
Below are some things that you can do at home to help make our neighbourhoods safer. I compiled this list with Councillor Vaughan’s office.
- Keep porch lights on after dark
- Replace burnt out bulbs on porches immediately
- Install motion lights at rear, especially on garages into laneways
- Illuminate paths to basement apartments
- Change bulbs to white LED
- Add your street number to the rear of your property, so if someone is calling the police from the Lane they can say exactly where they are
- Report burnt out street lights directly to Toronto Hydro or to your councillor (councillor_layton@toronto.ca) and overgrown trees with foliage blocking the lights
Do you have more tips for neighbours? Please email them to me at councillor_layton@toronto.ca
4. Important Contacts
Below are some contacts you may find useful. I also compiled this list with Councillor Vaughan’s office. Note that there are many more contacts included in our community safety audit found here (pdf).
If City tree branches are obstructing traffic lights, stop signs, or one-way signs:
Call 311 or contact me at councillor_layton@toronto.ca
If City tree branches are interfering with street lighting:
Call 311 or request pruning online at http://www.toronto.ca/311/request.htm#trees
You can also contact me at councillor_layton@toronto.ca
If a park light is out:
Call 311 or contact me at councillor_layton@toronto.ca
If a street light is out:
Submit a report to Toronto Hydro by phone at (416) 542-3195 or through the online Street Light Service Request form here or contact me at councillor_layton@toronto.ca and my office will help you with this.
To report information about the recent sexual assaults in the Bloor and Christie neighbourhood
Call (416) 808-7474
To contact the local Police liaison:
Constable Gordon Reid (416) 808-1529
To make requests of Police:
Call 14 Division at 416-808-1400
To make an anonymous tip contact Crime Stoppers
(416)-222-TIPS (8477).
In the case of emergencies on the TTC:
There are multiple options: (1) If on the subway, use the intercom in the Designated Waiting Area (DWA) to contact the Station Collector; (2) If on the subway press the Passenger Assistance Alarm; (3) If on a bus, contact the bus driver; or (4) Call 911
If there are property standard issues on private property (waste, overgrown bushes at corners, graffiti):
Call 311 or report the issue to bylaw enforcement online at http://www.toronto.ca/311/request.htm#property
If there is graffiti or litter on City property:
Call 311 or request cleanup online at http://www.toronto.ca/311/request.htm#graffiti or contact my office.
If there needs to be maintenance on City property:
Call 311 or contact my office at councillor_layton@toronto.ca
For information about community services in the area:
Call 211 or go to http://www.211toronto.ca/index.jsp
To contact services for people facing domestic violence:
If you are in danger, call 911 immediately. You can also call the Distress Centres of Toronto at 416-408-HELP (4357), the Assaulted Women’s’ Help Line at 416-863-0511 and/or the Toronto Rape Crisis Centre at 416-597-8808
Services Who Can Help
In an emergency: Call 911
For information about community services in the area:
Call 211 or go to http://www.211toronto.ca/index.jsp
Toronto Rape Crisis Centre/Multicultural Women Against Rape
Address: 25 Esplanade
Phone: 416-597-8808 – Crisis Line
Email: info@trccmwar.ca or crisis@trccmwar.ca
Website: http://www.trccmwar.ca/index.html
Assaulted Women’s Help Line
Phone: 416-863-0511; Toll Free (Ontario): 1-866-863-0511
Email: awh@io.org
Website: http://www.awhl.org/
Gerstein Centre:
provides crisis intervention to adults, living in the City of Toronto, who experience mental health problems.
Address: 100 Charles Street East
Phone: 416-929-5200
Email: admin@gersteincentre.org
Website: http://www.gersteincentre.org/
Toronto Police Services Division – 14 Division
Address: 150 Harrison Street
Phone: 416-808-1400
Website: http://www.torontopolice.on.ca/d14/
YWCA
Phone: 416-961-8100; Toll Free: 1-888-843-9922
Email: info@ywcatoronto.org
Website: http://www.ywcatoronto.org/
Distress Centres of Toronto: 151 languages and interpreter service
Phone: 416-408-HELP (4357)
Email: info@TorontoDistressCentre.com
Website: http://www.torontodistresscentre.com/
Barbara Schlieffer Clinic
a counselling, legal, interpretation, information and referral service for women who are survivors of violence.
Address: 489 College Street, Suite 503
Phone: 416-323-9149
Website: http://www.schliferclinic.com/
Women’s College Hospital
Address: 76 Grenville Street
Phone: 416-323-6400
Website: http://www.womenscollegehospital.ca/
METRAC (the Metropolitan Action Committee on Violence Against Women and Children)
Phone: 416-392-3135 or Toll free: 1-877-558-5570
Email: info@metrac.org
Website: http://www.metrac.org/home.htm
Scadding Court Community Centre
Address: 707 Dundas St. West
Phone: 416-392-0335
Website: www.scaddingcourt.org
Access Alliance Multicultural Community Health Centre
Address: 340 College Street, Suite 500
Phone: 416-324-8677
Website: www.accessalliance.ca
Planned Parenthood of Toronto
Address: 36B Prince Arthur Avenue
Phone: 416-961-0113
Website: www.ppt.on.ca
