Neighbourhood Crime Reports

Swansea is a Toronto neighbourhood that is located west of High Park. It’s boundaries are Bloor Street in the north, Lake Ontario in the south, High Park in the east and the Humber River in the west. Swansea was once an independent municipality known as the Village of Swansea before being annexed by the City of Toronto in 1967. Swansea is a primarily residential area with a variety of mixed housing types, from single-family homes to semi-detached homes, townhouses, apartment buildings and condominiums. In Swansea, there is an average of 3.4 crimes against people per 1000 people living and working in the neighbourhood. There is 14.22 crimes against property per 1000. This is relatively average crime rate for a Toronto neighbourhood. As Toronto is a very large city, some crime will always take place. Being aware of your surroundings, understanding what you can do to protect yourself and properly utilizing all forms of crime prevention can protect you from becoming a victim. In September 2010, a man was shot in the foot in the Swansea Mews area, near Windermere Avenue and the Queensway. The 23-year-old victim was approached by two men around at 10:45 pm and shot. From CityNews Toronto:

A late-night shooting on Swansea Mews is now an attempted murder investigation. Toronto Police allege that two men approached the victim around 10:45pm on September 28. The 23-year-old was shot in the foot. He was taken to hospital, treated and released. Several shell casings were found near Windermere Avenue and The Queensway.

In August 2010, another shooting took place in the same Swansea Mews area. A teenage boy was shot in the backside on Swansea Mews. The 15-year-old was taken to hospital with his injuries but recovered. Multiple shots were fired during the crime, but no other victims were hit. From 680 News Toronto:

Toronto police are looking for suspects after a teenage boy was shot in the backside in a west-end townhouse complex, Friday night. The shooting began just before 7:30 p.m. on Swansea Mews, near Windermere Avenue, north of the Queensway.

In July 2009, a shooting and a stabbing took place in the area as well. Toronto Police suggested that there was “a strong belief” that the two crimes were related. From the Toronto Star:

A neighbourhood near the Queensway and Windermere Ave. was the scene of two violent attacks late last night. Shots rang out after midnight, and police received a second call for a stabbing in the same area. An 18-year-old man was found at a Petro Canada gas station at the intersection, suffering from a gun wound. A 19-year-old man was found in a nearby housing complex on Swansea Mews, bleeding from a single stab wound in the left arm. Both men were sent to hospital. The shooting victim underwent surgery and remains in hospital today in serious condition. The stabbing victim was released from hospital earlier.

After the two crimes took place, Toronto Police set out to determine if the two were related. This involved “canvassing the area and securing video tape to ascertain what took place.” It is quite common for police to request any available security footage when investigating a crime. Security cameras are a powerful tool when it comes to determining who committed a crime and identifying any possible suspects. Having surveillance cameras installed at your home or business is an excellent way to deter criminals as well. Criminals understand how security cameras assist police and they will not want to risk being caught committing a crime.

Summerhill is a neighbourhood in central Toronto. As the name indicates, the neighbourhood is centered around Summerhill Ave and Yonge Street. The Summerhill neighbourhood is primarily filled with single family homes and several small and medium-sized businesses. Summerhill stretches south to the railway tracks and north to Farnham Avenue. It goes west to Avenue Road and east to Balfour Park and the Rosehill Reservoir. Some consider the area just outside these boundaries as part of the Summerhill neighbourhood as well. When discussing crime, it’s important to note that while breaking crime down by neighbourhood provides a good indicator about where crime is taking place, these neighbourhoods are not isolated from one another. For the most part they are imaginary boundaries, not actual hard borders, that divide areas. This means that criminals can easily cross streets and enter other neighbourhoods. Because of this, it is important to look at the surrounding area as a whole in additional to the neighbourhood crime rate. Our neighbourhood crime reports page has information on a number of different areas for comparison purposes. As far as the crime rate in Summerhill goes, between Avenue Road and Yonge Street and between the railway tracks and Woodlawn Avenue West, there is an average of 21.3 instances of property crime per 1000 people living and working in the neighbourhood. West of Yonge Street, there is an average of 2.67 crimes against people and 15.88 crimes against property per 1000. In July 2011, a woman was found dead in the bathtub of her home on Summerhill Gardens. It was not immediately known how the woman died or how long she had been in the bathtub, but according to the Toronto Star “Toronto police say they are treating the death as suspicious.” In January 2010, a man was arrested and charged with sexually assaulting two women on New Year’s morning. He assaulted one woman at St. Clair subway station (north of the Summerhill neighbourhood) and one at Summerhill station. From 680 News Toronto:

Investigators report in both instances, he allegedly followed the women as they left the stations, and then pushed them to the ground, assaulting them before fleeing.

In 2009, a armed robbery in a Summerhill Avenue pharmacy left two people in the hospital. From the Toronto Star:

A male suspect with a handgun entered Marshall’s Pharmacy on 412 Summerhill Ave. around 10:30 a.m. One of the pharmacists, a man, was slashed on the arm by broken glass after the suspect forcibly pulled instead of pushing the glass door, which was shattered by the impact. A female pharmacist suffered a broken leg after falling. Police say there was no struggle between the suspect and the victims and no shots were fired. Police have not been able to confirm what the suspect wanted, or what was taken from the pharmacy. The suspect fled across a railway track near Moore Park.

If you are looking to increase security at your business, SafeTech Alarm Systems can help.  We offer a wide variety of commercial security tools including alarm systems, surveillance cameras, access control and article surveillance systems and more. Please contact us for more information on how we can protect your business.

The Toronto neighbourhood of St. Lawrence is located in downtown Toronto. The neighbourhood’s boundaries are King Street and Front Street in the north, Yonge Street in the west, Parliament Street in the east and the Canadian National Railway tracks in the south. One of the most well-known parts of the neighbourhood is the St. Lawrence Market area near Front Street and Jarvis Street. The market is famous for weekly farmer’s markets as well as delis, bakeries, meat shops and a variety of other vendors.

St. Lawrence Crime Statistics

South of Front Street, between Yonge Street and Jarvis Street there is an average of 4.18 crimes against people per 1000 people living and working in the area. There is an average of 21.86 crimes against property per 1000. North of Front Street there is an average of 2.82 crimes against people and 13.97 crimes against property. South of Front between Jarvis and Parliament, there is an average of 8.19 crimes against people and 29.22 crimes against property. North of front there is an average of 6.81 crimes against people and 32.96 crimes against property.

St. Lawrence Crime & Security

In July 2010, a man was shot in the Front Street and Jarvis Street area. From the Toronto Star:

A man was transported to hospital after a shooting in the Front St. E. and Jarvis St. area Friday night. The victim, believed to be in his 30s, was found on Frederick St. just before 11 p.m. The incident occurred at an apartment building at 176 The Esplanade, police said. The victim is in life-threatening condition, an EMS official said.

A man was killed just outside the St. Lawrence neighbourhood in September 2009. From Canada.com:

Police are reviewing video surveillance footage as they investigate Toronto’s 39th homicide this year to determine what Kamal Hercules was doing before he was shot and killed in front of a store on Front Street near the St. Lawrence Market early on Saturday. A shrine is growing outside the grocery store, and emotional family members surveyed the scene on Saturday morning. Police are still looking for a suspect after the 21-year-old was shot repeatedly as he spoke with a friend outside Rabba Fine Foods at Front and Sherbourne streets sometime after 3:40 a. m. on Saturday. Police describe the suspect as wearing a ski mask and baggy clothing. Police believe Mr. Hercules was targeted, but they are not certain of a motive for the shooting.

Video footage from security cameras is often one of the first things that police officers ask for when they arrive at a crime scene. Surveillance footage is incredibly powerful evidence and it can provide authorities with vital details that can help them identify people at a crime scene, determine exactly what happened at what time, sort out exactly who was involved and rule out certain possibilities. The footage obtained from security cameras can also be used in court as evidence. SafeTech Alarm Systems has been protecting people and property for over 20 years. We have the expertise and knowledge needed to position and install security cameras in a manner that maximizes their benefits. We even offer 24-hour monitoring services. Contact us today for more information.

St. James Town is a Toronto neighbourhood and one of the most densely populated neighbourhoods in North America as well as the largest high-rise community in Canada. It is located south of Bloor Street between Sherbourne Street and Parliament Street. It stretches as far south as Wellesley Street. As St. James Town is a very densely populated area in a large city, there is unfortunately crime in the region. On average, there is 10.44 crimes against people living and working in the area per 1,000. There is 24.97 crimes against property per 1,000. This is relatively average when compared to most downtown Toronto neighbourhoods in terms of property crime. The crime in St. James Town (and the crime in all of Toronto) ranges from relatively incidents of theft and robbery to assault and even murder. In March 2011 a man claiming to have a gun walked into a convenience store and demanded money. He fled the scene but was later arrested by police. They did not find a gun on the man or in the area. In October 2010 a man was stabbed in the chest near Sherbourne Street and Isabella Street. From CityNews.ca:

It happened around 8:30pm at St. James Town West Park, near Sherbourne and Isabella streets. The victim, believed to be in his late 30s or early 40s, was conscious and breathing when paramedics arrived. “He was bleeding from the chest and the ribcage,” said one witness. “But there wasn’t a lot of blood.” Bystanders say they saw the suspect fleeing on foot, but police only have a vague description.

In 2007 a 31-year-old man was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting on Bleeker Street in St. James Town. Two people were later arrested and charged with the murder, which was said to be related to a drug “turf war.” From the Toronto Sun:

James was highly respected in the community because he purchased walkers for the elderly, supported the disabled and refused to sell drugs to children, said Toronto Det. Wayne Fowler, who headed the homicide investigation. Fowler said there is no clear motive but the conflict may have been over a dispute between James and another drug dealer, who wanted to violate James’ rules on selling drugs in his Regent Park neighbourhood. The driver circled James twice as he stood outside the Bleecker St. apartment. On the second pass, JD fired several shots from an open backseat window. James died of a gunshot wound to his arm and chest, which injured his lungs and heart. The taxi roared off at high speed.

Unfortunately, crime is a reality in all large cities and Toronto is no exception. Being vigilant of your surroundings and properly following safety tips are the keys to remaining safe in Toronto. Another situation in St. James Town that is worth noting is the large fire that took place there in September 2010. While this was not a criminal act, it was very destructive and damaged a great deal of property. From CBC News:

Officials are uncertain how long it would be before residents can return to a Toronto highrise after an intense fire forced some 1,200 people from the building Friday afternoon. The fire, which started on the 24th floor of the 30-storey building at 200 Wellesley St. E. near Bleecker Street, sent at least 14 people to hospital Friday night, including three children, one of them just a month old. Three of the injuries were described as very serious.

It is important to remember that in addition to burglar alarms and home security systems, fire alarms are also incredibly important when it comes to keeping to family safe. Fire alarms, smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors can be monitored by a 24-hour emergency monitoring station for maximum protection.

Seaton Village is a Toronto neighbourhood that is located in the Annex area of Toronto. It is located west of downtown Toronto and it is  a former unincorporated village. Toronto’s Korean Business Area (also known as Koreatown) is part of Seaton Village. The Seaton Village neighbourhood boundaries are Bloor Street in the south, Christie Street in the west, Bathurst Street in the east and the train tracks just north of Dupont Street in the north. The neighbourhood is sometimes referred as the “West Annex.” There is an average of 7.29 crimes against property per 1000 people living and working in Seaton Village. There is an average of 30.83 crimes against property in the area. In October 2010 there were a number of homes and cars broken into in the Seaton Village area. From the Seaton Village Residents’ Association:

Sadly, we are getting accounts of neigbours suffering the consequences of homes and cars being broken-in to in Seaton Village…AGAIN or is it STILL! In the past week, cars in the laneway behind Vermont Ave/Leal rental were broken in to. The same goes for the laneway in between Markham and Palmerston from Follis to Barton! Homes were broken in to in broad daylight (computers, jeweley being stolen) along the same stretches of Markham AND Vermont – more than twice in 2 nights!!! Please lock doors and windows!

Security systems, surveillance cameras, bars and gates and proper lighting are all tools that you can use to protect your property and your family. If you have questions regarding security services or if you are interested in a free risk assessment from a loss prevention professional, please contact us today. SafeTech Alarm Systems has been protecting people and property in Toronto for over 20 years. In June 2011, two men were arrested after they attempted to rob a variety store in the Bathurst and Dupont area. From the National Post:

Two suspects entered the store shortly after 1 p.m., one of them wearing a bandana. The disguised suspect allegedly assaulted a lone 82 year-old employee and attempted to force open the cash register while the other stood by with a loaded handgun. The two fled the scene empty-handed when a customer entered the store. Malcolm David, 19, and Destiny Meyler, 18, were arrested shortly after by police who seized a loaded handgun.

In March 2009, several swarmings were reported to police. From CTV News:

People in the Bloor and Bathurst Street areas are worried after four swarmings in the area on St. Patrick’s Day night, with one person suffering a serious stab wound to the chest as a result. The swarmings were reported to police between 8:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday. A 21-year-old man was stabbed in the kidneys during [one] attack. He was rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries but he is now in hospital in stable condition, Adams said. Two of his friends were also attacked — one was pepper sprayed and the other was hit in the head with a hard object — but they are also expected to recover from their injuries. There are no suspects in custody but police say they are waiting to retrieve images from several surveillance cameras placed around the school’s property.

Surveillance cameras are often used by police to determine what actually took place at a crime scene as well as to identify suspects. SafeTech Alarm Systems specializes in security cameras. Please contact us for more information. In October 2010, two men were shot in the Seaton Village area. From CBC News:

Toronto police were looking for a gunman after two men were shot in the Bloor and Christie streets area on Wednesday afternoon. Police were called to the city’s west end, just after 1:30 p.m. ET, by reports of shots fired. The two men, aged 26 and 27, were taken to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. One was shot in the arm, while the other suffered a scalp wound when a bullet grazed his head.

Scarborough City Centre is a Toronto neighbourhood that is located in the Scarborough region of the city. It is the central business district of the area. The neighbourhood borders include Kennedy Road in the west, Markham road in the east, Sheppard Avenue in the north and Ellesmere Road in the south. Scarborough City Centre includes many office buildings and high-rise condominiums as well as the Scaborough Town Centre shopping mall and the Scarborough Centre TTC rapid transit station. In the area between Kennedy Road and Midland Avenue but north of Highway 401, there is an average of 3.29 crimes against people per 1000 living and working in the area. There is an average of 12.32 crimes against property per 1000. South of the 401, still between Kennedy and Midland, there is an average of 6.3 crimes against people and 17.03 crimes against property. South of the 401, between Midland and Brimley Road, there is an average of 5.81 crimes against people and 10.14 crimes against property. North of the 401, still between Midland and Brimley, there is an average of 7.23 crimes against people and 12.3 crimes against property. North of the 401, between Brimley and McCowan Road, there is an average of 4.96 crimes against people and 12.91 crimes against property. In this same area but south of the 401 there is an average of 6 crimes against people and 51.78 crimes against property. This region of Scarborough City Centre is one of the Toronto neighbourhoods with the most property crime. North of the 401 between McCowan Road and Markham Road, there is an average of 3.84 crimes against people and 12.24 crimes against property. South of the 401 between McCowan Road and Bellamy Road, there is an average of 3.01 crimes against people and 6.89 crimes against property. From Bellamy Road to Markham Road there is an average of 6.09 crimes against people and 20.6 crimes against property. In September 2008, a man was stabbed and killed near Kennedy Road and Sheppard Avenue. From the Toronto Star:

Just hours after three shootings that led to two deaths in the GTA, Toronto police and ambulance services had to rush to the scene of a fatal stabbing. Police are remaining tight-lipped about the incident, which happened at 2250 Kennedy Rd., just south of Sheppard Ave E.

The Kennedy and Sheppard area was also the scene of a stabbing in February 2011. From CityNews Toronto:

A man has been rushed to hospital after being stabbed in the face and neck in Toronto’s east end Wednesday night. The victim, 38, was found in an office parking lot in the Kennedy Road and Sheppard Avenue area before 8pm. There are reports the weapon was a kitchen knife.

September 2011, a man was shot near Ellesmere Road and Markham Road. He was taken to hospital, but he survived the shooting. Also from the Toronto Star:

A man in his twenties was shot outside of a Shell station in Scarborough Saturday night, police say. The shooting took place near Ellesmere Rd. and Markham Rd around 11:30 p.m. EMS officials wouldn’t confirm his injuries, but police say he was shot in the leg and was sent to a trauma centre. Deputy commander Connie Christie said he is in serious, but stable, condition. No other injuries were reported, and police say they believe there is more than one suspect involved.

Scarborough Town Centre shopping mall has also been the scene of several criminal acts over the years. In 2007 a 19-year-old teen boy was stabbed in the mall. At the time Sgt. Ron Lawrence of the Toronto Police stated that “we have a lot of video here and we have some civilian witnesses that have helped out.” The presence of video surveillance is a key to keeping public areas such as shopping malls safe. Video footage can be instrumental in identifying and prosecuting criminals. For more information, please visit our page on security cameras. In May 2011, a man was shot in the torso outside Scarborough Town Centre.  Toronto Police arrested a man the following day and charged him with the shooting. Another excellent way to protect public places like shopping malls is with uniformed security guards. Contact SafeTech Alarm Systems for more information on how we can keep you safe.

Runnymede is a Toronto neighbourhood that is located along Bloor Street West. The neigbourhood’s boundaries are Jane Street in the west, Runnymede Road in the east and Bloor Street in the south. The railway tracks north of Dundas Street make up the northern boundary. The major streets in the region are Bloor Street, Jane Street and Runnymede Road. There is a mix of commercial and residential buildings in the neighbourhood and many of the street level units along major streets are commercial. Most of the housing units are single-family homes. The neighbourhood is part of the Bloor West Village shopping district.

Runnymede Crime Rates & Crime Statistics

There is a relatively average amount of property crime and crime against people in the neighbourhood. However, when investigating crime statistics it is important to take the statistics of the surrounding neighbourhoods into account as well as the specific area of interest. Criminal activity does not stop at arbitrary boundaries. Nearby neighbourhoods include High Park, Swansea and the Junction. In the area bordered by Annette Street in the north, Bloor Street in the south, Jane Street in the west and Runnymede Road in the east, there is an average of 6.25 crimes against people per 1000 living and working in the area. There is an average of 21.61 crimes against property per 1000. In the region bordered by the train tracks north of Dundas Street in the north and Annette Street in the south, between Jane Street and Runnymede Road, there is an average of 7.44 crimes against people and 27.42 crimes against property per 1000.

Runnymede Crime

In January 2012, a man was arrested following a violent home invasion in the Bloor and Runnymede area. From 680 News:

Toronto police have arrested a man wanted in a violent home invasion. Slavoljub or “Louie” Petrovic is accused of breaking into a home in the Runnymede Road and Bloor Street West area on Tuesday. Police allege the 53-year-old slashed a woman in the arm and then fled the home with some cash. He has been charged with robbery, aggravated assault, weapons dangerous and forcible confinement.

Home invasions are incredibly dangerous and terrifying. In order to protect yourself, your home and your loved ones, you should ensure that all appropriate security precautions are taken. All doors to the outside should be locked with a strong dead bolt and windows should be locked from the inside. You may wish to install bars or gates on your doors and windows as well. In addition, window and door frames should be strong enough so that they cannot be easily damaged or destroyed by potential intruders. It is also important to have a working alarm system that protects all areas of your home. Monitored alarm systems are a great idea since they can call the appropriate authorities for you if you are unable to do so yourself. In November 2011, a woman was sexually assaulted in the Dundas and Runnymede area. From AM 640:

Toronto police want to alert the public about a sexual assault investigation. Police say a man followed a woman in the Dundas and Runnymede area on Thursday. It’s alleged that he grabbed her from behind, pushed her and then sexually assaulted her before fleeing the scene.

A man robbed a bank in the Bloor and Runnymede area in January 2011. From Posted Toronto:

A man made off with an undisclosed amount of money from a TD Canada Trust bank at Runnymede Road and Bloor Street West. The suspect told bank workers he had a gun, but did not reveal one. The suspect is described as a white male and wearing sunglasses, a grey toque and a black leather jacket with a hoodie underneath.

In August 2010, shots were fired instead a store during a robbery in the Dundas and Runnymede area. From CP24:

Police are looking for a suspect after shots were fired inside a 7-Eleven near Runnymede Road and Dundas Street. Police say the suspect entered the store at about midnight demanding cash. He made off with a sum of money, and shots were fired inside the store. No one was injured.

A man was shot and killed in the same area in a unrelated shooting that took place in August of 2009. From CityTV:

A man believed to be in his mid 20s has become Toronto’s 62nd murder victim of the year after a fatal shooting on Maria Stret near Dundas and Runnymede Tuesday night. The man, who was found without vital signs, was pronounced dead at hospital. The incident took place just after 10pm.

In November 2009, a shooting took place near Runnymede and Bloor. From the Toronto Star:

Police are looking for a shooter and a victim after witnesses reported gunfire from an SUV Saturday in Bloor West Village. Police received reports that a black SUV with tinted windows and chrome wheels came to a stop and fired several shots at a white four-door sedan, possibly a Toyota, just before midnight on Elora Rd. near Birchview Cres. Witnesses told police there may be a victim, but none has turned up.

Rosedale is a Toronto neighbourhood and one of Toronto’s oldest suburbs. Many residential homes are located in Rosedale and the neighbourhood has approximately 8,000 residents. The neighbourhood’s boundaries consist of Bloor Street in the south, Yonge Street in the west, Bayview Avenue in the east and CPR Railway tracks in the north. This makes it one of Toronto’s most centrally-located neighbourhoods.  It is serviced by Rosedale Station on the Yonge Subway line as well as nearby Summerhill Station.

SafeTech’s Rosedale Crime Report

Rosedale is built among three ravines, which means that many roads are smaller and more winding than typical Toronto roads. This leads to a decrease in vehicle traffic in the neighbourhood. As a result, Rosedale is quite secluded from the rest of Toronto despite its location. While this means that the neighbourhood is relatively quiet, it also means that the amount of crime against property is relatively high. Our Rosedale Crime Report provides the details.

Rosedale Crime Report: Statistics

The rate of crimes against property per 1,000 living and working in Rosedale is 36.15. The number of break and enters per 1,000 people is 6.697. Most of the crime in Rosedale is theft, vandalism and robberies. These are the kinds of crime that unfortunately affect quiet, well-off residential neighbourhoods. Criminals use the fact that the areas are secluded and calm to scout potential targets and commit crimes in areas where they will not be noticed. Fortunately, many of these crimes can be prevented by effective alarm systems and security cameras. The good news is that crimes against people are quite low. There are an average of 6.15 crimes against people per 1,000 in Rosedale. Unfortunately, the recession has made property crime such as breaking and entering and automobile theft more common than ever before. These criminals often strike residential homes, but they also target neighbourhood businesses as well. In 2009, a Rosedale pharmacy was attacked by an armed criminal. The robber forced the door of the pharmacy open and injured two pharmacists who were working at the location. Armed with a gun, the suspect robbed the pharmacy and fled the area. Nearby schools were placed on lockdown for a brief while as a precaution. In some cases, criminals scout out homes for several weeks, determining the patterns of those who live there. Then they strike when they know no one will be home. They will even wear disguises and pretend to be construction workers or people from utility companies in order to watch homes unnoticed. In addition to a high-quality alarm system and monitored security cameras, windows bars and gates can certainly help protect your home. Strong locks such as deadbolts and reinforced doors and window frames are also good ways to prevent break-ins. As always, you have to ensure that you lock all of your windows and doors and set your alarm. Of course, breaking and entering and robbery are not the only crimes that take place in Rosedale, they are just the most common. In April 2011, the Toronto Police Financial Crimes Unit and the Emergency Task Force raided a Rosedale home. The authorities took three men and one woman into custody for what they called “crimes of a financial nature.” The four suspects were living in a Rosedale home that was split into several apartments. Police searched all of the apartments in the raid. It was later revealed that police uncovered one stolen ten-ounce Australian gold bar in the home. The police say that 75 gold bars were stolen in total and only the one had been recovered in the Rosedale home at this time. Those arrested are also being held in connection with a fraudulent bank draft for almost $1.9 million. That police raid in Rosedale shows that there is no way you can trust your neighbours at all times. It also highlights the fact that many people do not even know who the people living near them are or what they may be involved in. Just because you feel as though you are living in a safe neighbourhood, you can never be too cautious. In addition to equipping your home with the latest security technology (including alarm systems, security cameras, window and door bars and gates, motion detectors and strong locks) you should also be aware of your surroundings. If someone looks like they are scouting your property, take note. If you feel as though something strange is taking place in your neighbourhood, contact police or a security company for assistance. Our Rosedale Crime Report is part of our series of Toronto Crime Reports.