Neighbourhood Crime Reports

Leaside is a Toronto neighbourhood that is west of the Don Valley Parkway and south of Sunnybrook Park. Running primarily along Bayview Avenue, Leaside is composed mostly of single-family homes.

Data from our Leaside Crime Report

A lot of important information can be found in our Leaside Crime Report. There is an average amount of property crime in Leaside. According to the 2006 census, the rate of crimes against property in Leaside was 16.81 per 1,000 people. The average number of break and enters reported in 2008 was 2.753 per 1,000 people. Both of these rates place Leaside near the middle of Toronto neighbourhoods in regards to crime. Earlier this year, a man broke into a Leaside home in hopes of squatting in the residence. In the case, a woman returned home from walking her dog to find a strange man inside her home. The man ran from the home, but was caught by nearby construction workers. Area residents were terrified by the incident and the woman is no longer comfortable taking her daily walks. A home alarm system likely would have scared the intruder off and made him think twice about attempting to illegally enter someone else’s property.

Violent Crime: Details from the Leaside Crime Report

While there is a low rate of crime against people in Leaside, there have been some cases of violence on Leaside streets. Last year, several students were robbed near a Leaside school by two young men. About 11 students were robbed by the two men who were carrying replica handguns and demanding the victims’ possessions. A similar robbery took place earlier this year.Two teenage suspects robbed two 12-year-olds of their cell phones and other items. It was reported that one man may have had a gun. The crime took place at about 4:00 in the afternoon. These crimes are similar to a rash of robberies that occurred in the area in 2009. Also in 2009, a series of SUVs were stolen from driveways in the area. The sophisticated thefts were suspected to be linked to organized crime. The vehicles were stolen directly from driveways in Leaside, near Bayview and Eglinton. At least six Toyota SUVs were stolen. Criminals likely used laptop computers to crack the vehicles keyless entry codes in order to steal them without being noticed. All of the cars were parked in the driveways of Leaside homes and locked securely, but that didn’t prevent them from being stolen. Keeping the vehicles in locked garages that are secured by alarm systems would likely have stopped the crimes from occurring. Adequate lightning that draws attention to vehicles and makes them easier to spot makes it more difficult for criminals to work unnoticed. This is especially important for homeowners who do not have garages or are unable to park their cars inside them. This Leaside Crime Report is part of our series of Toronto Crime Reports.

Lawrence Park, Toronto is a neighbourhood located near Lawrence Avenue, between Yonge Street and Bayview Avenue. The area is centered on Mount Pleasant Road. It is located within walking distance of Lawrence Subway Station and a 10 minute drive from Highway 401. Our Lawrence Park Crime Report can help you understand crime in this region.

SafeTech’s Lawrence Park Crime Report

Crime rates in Lawrence Park differ between the northern and south part of the neighbourhood. While Lawrence Park south does not have very many crimes against people, it has an average amount of property crime. In the northern area, crimes against people are average but property crime is quite high. In Lawrence Park as a whole, there were 3.73 crimes against people per 1000 people in 2008 and 14.62 property crimes per 1000 people. This information is a vital part of our Lawrence Park Crime Report. Breaking and entering is one of the most common Lawrence Park crimes. In Lawrence Park North there were 3.14 break-ins per 1000 people. There were 4.11 break-ins per 1000 people in Lawrence Park South. Many homes in the area are quite upscale and therefore they can be a tempting target for burglars. Late 2010 saw a rash of break-ins in the area. Several Lawrence Park homes were hit and Toronto Police placed the neighbourhood under close surveillance. In one case, a resident had her car broken into and vandalized while she was on vacation. The car’s GPS system was stolen along with golf clubs, a camera and other items. The police believe that the various robberies and break-ins were unrelated. Another case in that string of robberies involved a house being broken into during the day. Thieves stole a large quantity of money as well as several gold coins from the home. A nearby home was also robbed, with the burglars taking jewellery and electronics in that instance. Several people have been arrested for break-ins in the neighbourhood, but police warned that the robberies were being carried out by a number of different individuals – some of whom were still on the loose.

Protecting your Lawrence Park Home

These crimes highlight the fact that people need to be vigilant in protecting their belongings and that they need to take steps to stay secure. Valuable items should never be left inside vehicles and cars should be kept in locked and alarmed garages whenever possible. Security systems are a key to preventing break and enters. Alarm systems and security cameras are critical to detecting and identifying criminals.

L’Amoreaux is a Toronto neighbourhood that is located in the former City of Scarborough. It was part of the former town of Agincourt as well. The neighbourhood is primarily a residential one. There are a number of single-family homes and townhomes in the region as well as several apartment buildings and condominiums. The boundaries of the L’Amoreaux neighbourhood include McNicholl Avenue in the north, Huntingwood Drive in the south, Victoria Park Avenue in the west and Kennedy Road in the east. The crime rate in L’Amoreaux depends on where you live in the area. Between Kennedy Road and Birchmount Road, from Huntingwood Drive north to Finch Avenue, there are 8.58 crimes against people per 1000 people living and working in the area. There are 13.24 crimes against property. North of Finch Avenue to McNicholl, still between Kennedy and Birchmount, there is 3.64 crimes against people and 15.96 crimes against property. The area bordered by McNicholl, Birchmount, Warden Avenue and Finch has 2.64 crimes against people and 11.66 crimes against property. South of Finch to Huntingwood Drive, there are 6.83 crimes against people and 10.97 crimes against property. West of Warden Avenue to Pharmacy Avenue, between Huntingwood and Finch, there are 3.76 crimes against people and 9.88 crimes against property. North of Finch to McNicholl, still between Warden and Pharmacy, there are 4.28 crimes against people and 20.22 crimes against property. Between Pharmacy and Victoria Park Avenue, from Huntingwood to Finch, there are 6.13 crimes against people and 11.35 crimes against property. The area bordered by Pharmacy, Victoria Park, Finch and McNicholl has an average of 10 crimes against people and 6.31 crimes against property. Unfortunately all Toronto neighbourhoods have some degree of crime and L’Amoreaux is no exception. In February 2010, a driver for a pizza company was making a delivery in the Huntingwood Drive and Victoria Park Avenue area when he was confronted by an armed suspect. From the Toronto Police Service:

The victim approached the driveway of the residence and was confronted by a male suspect wearing a disguise. The suspect produced a handgun, made a demand for cash and struck the victim about the head with the weapon. The suspect then fled the scene empty-handed northbound on Fairglen Avenue towards a nearby apartment complex. Toronto EMS attended and transported the victim to hospital where he was treated for his injuries and later released.

Regardless of the neighbourhood that you are in, it is important to be alert in all situations and aware that crime can happen at any time. In June 2011, a man was stabbed in the neck in the Birchmount and Finch area. The stabbing was a result of an argument between the victim and the suspect. From CityNews Toronto:

A 35-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder after a stabbing inside a Scarborough highrise Wednesday afternoon. The 40-year-old victim was on the fifth floor of a building on Birchmount Road, at Finch Avenue East, when the accused allegedly stabbed him in the neck. The injured man was taken to Sunnybrook hospital in serious, but not life-threatening condition.

In May 2009, a man was shot in the parking lot of a shopping plaza near Finch and Kennedy. From CTV:

Shots rang out just before midnight Monday in a parking lot of a shopping plaza located on Finch Avenue, just east of Kennedy Road. A passerby saw a man stumble and fall near the railway tracks that are just east of the plaza. The passerby called police but by the time authorities arrived, the man was pulled into a silver Mini Cooper. The Mini Cooper that was seen transporting the victim has been located and has been searched by police. A suspect – a man in his twenties that is believed to have been inside the car – is in police custody. Police have also recovered a weapon. Authorities say they are investigating whether the gun battle that erupted between a two groups of men was caught on a surveillance camera that was set up in the plaza. Investigators say they found numerous shell casings in the parking lot.

As with the situation above, police officers typically use footage recorded by security cameras to identify suspects and determine what happened at the scene of a crime. This is powerful evidence that can be used to arrest, charge and prosecute suspects. In addition to home alarm systems and business alarm systems, video surveillance cameras are a vital piece of a security system.

Kingsview Village is a Toronto neighbourhood located in the city’s west end and the north end of the former City of Etobicoke. The neighbourhood boundaries are Highway 401 in the north and the west, Dixon Road in the south and the Humber River and St. Phillips Road in the west. There are a number of single family homes in the area as well as several high rise building. There are also several commercial areas including Westown Shopping Centre.

Kingsview Village Crime Statistics

In general there is an average amount of crime against people and crime against property in Kingsview Village. In the area bordered by Highway 401, Dixon Road and Kipling Avenue, there is an average of 11.6 crimes against people per 1000 living and working in the region. There is an average of 17.68 crimes against property per 1000. Between Kipling Avenue, Highway 401, Dixon Road and Islington Avenue (including Kingview Park and Dixon Park) there is an average of 9.56 crimes against people and 12.57 crimes against property. East of Islington Avenue to the Humber River and St. Phillips Road, between Highway 401 and Dixon Road, there is an average of 5.84 crimes against people and 18.5 crimes against property.

Kingsview Village Crime

In June 2009 two men were injured in a shooting in the Kingsview Village neighbourhood. One person was killed. The other survived the shooting. Details from CTV:

One man is dead after an early-morning shooting in north Etobicoke on Sunday. The victim died in hospital late Sunday afternoon. He was rushed to the emergency room just before 5 a.m. after he was shot in the lobby of an apartment building on Dixon Road, near Kipling Avenue. Police say he was shot in the abdomen. Another person was also injured in the incident but police say his injuries are not life-threatening.

In June 2010 a woman was stabbed to death in the area. From CP24:

Emergency crews were called to an apartment building near Dixon Road and Kipling Avenue where they found a woman stabbed to death inside a unit at about 2:30 a.m.

In October 2010 an overnight shooting resulted in a man being shot in the abdomen. From The Star:

An 18-year-old man was shot in the abdomen on Sunday shortly after midnight. Police found the man suffering minor injuries in a plaza near Islington Ave. and Dixon Rd. The man was treated at hospital and later released. Police said he was not cooperating.

In March 2011 a man was shot in the head and killed in a Kingsview Village condominium. From the Toronto Sun:

The man gunned down in a north Etobicoke condominium highrise on the weekend was a 24-year-old visitor, Toronto homicide detectives revealed Monday. Police know his identity and an autopsy has been completed but his name and home area were not released. The dead man – the city’s 15th murder victim in 2011 – was found shot in the head in a heavily-bloodstained fourth-floor stairwell at 320 Dixon Rd. around 1:35 p.m. Sunday.

In August 2011 there was a shooting in the Kipling and Dixon area. From CityTV:

Yet another teenager was the target of gun violence this week after shots were fired in Etobicoke. A 19-year-old was taken to hospital after he was shot in the leg on Windsor Road, in the Kipling Avenue and Dixon Road area, around 11:15 p.m. Wednesday. Police are looking for suspects, who were apparently in a black Nissan Maxima.

Unfortunately, crime can take place in any area of the city and happen incredibly quickly. Protecting your home and your family with security services is important. For more information, please contact us.

Jane and Finch, also known as University Heights, is a Toronto neighbourhood located in northwestern North York. As the name suggests, it is centered around the intersection of Jane Street and Finch Avenue. The general borders of the area are Shoreham Drive in the north, Grandravine Drive in the south, Highway 400 in the west and Driftwood Avenue in the east. According to the Jane-Finch Street Involved Youth Issues Coalition in 2002, the Jane and Finch neighbourhood has “one of the highest proportions of youth, sole-supported families, refugees and immigrants, low-income earners and public housing tenants of any community in Toronto.” Unfortunately, this concentration means that there is crime in the area. The Jane and Finch neighbourhood is one of the Toronto neighbourhoods with the most property crime. In the area between Jane Street and Driftwood Avenue, from Finch Avenue south to Grandravine Drive, there is an average of 23.55 crimes against people per 1000 people living and working in the area. There is an average of 37.72 crimes against property per 1000. West of Jane Street to Oakdale Road, from Finch Avenue to Eddystone Avenue, there is an average of 17.02 crimes against people per 1000 and 13.57 crimes against property. North of Finch, in the area surrounding Driftwood Park, there is an average of 20.45 crimes against people per 1000 and 19.55 crimes against property. Between Driftwood Avenue and Shoreham Drive but east of Jane Street, there is an average of 13.06 crimes against people and 20.14 crimes against property. The stretch between Jane Street and Gosford Boulevard, from Finch Avenue north to Steeles Avenue, has the highest concentration of property crime in the neighbourhood. There is an average of 15.86 crimes against people but there are 57.77 crimes against property per 1000 living and working in the neighborhood. West of Gosford Boulevard to Highway 400, between Steeles and Finch, there is an average of 8.75 crimes against people and 14.26 crimes against property per 1000. In November 2011 two teenagers were shot outside of a school in the Jane and Finch neighbourhood. Apparently the gunman was waiting for another man to exit a building. When the victim stepped outside, he was shot. A 14-year-old girl was also shot in the attack, but she was not the primary target. From the Globe and Mail:

Witnesses said the incident appeared to have been an ambush directed at the man as he walked out of the Oakdale Community Centre, directly across the street from the school on Grandravine Drive. The gunman was said to have first fired from a parked car before getting out, running toward the fallen victim and firing again several times. As he went back to his the car, he turned and fired at two 14-year-old girls who were nearby, hitting one in the leg. She was not the “primary target,” Insp. Carter said, but it was unclear what connection, if any, she had to the first victim.

In October 2011, a man was shot and killed in the Jane and Finch area. From the Toronto Star:

One man was killed and another was injured in a shooting near Jane St. and Finch Ave. W early Saturday morning. Police said multiple gunshots rang out near 32 Tobermory Dr. around 2 a.m. and several men were seen running away. When police arrived, they found one man who had been shot dead. Another man showed up at the Finch Ave. site of the Humber River Regional hospital with gunshot wounds around 2:30 a.m. Police said they believe he was also involved in the same shooting. His injuries are non-life threatening.

In May 2011, a woman was shot in the leg during a drive-by shooting. Also from the Toronto Star:

A woman has been rushed to hospital after being shot in the leg in a drive-by shooting in Toronto’s Jane and Finch area. In what police called a “double drive-by” — the two cars involved were both moving at the time — shots were fired from one moving vehicle into the other near the intersection of Gosford Blvd. and Secroft Cres. The woman’s injuries are not considered life-threatening, police said.

Another shooting took place in the area on the same day. From the Toronto Sun:

A man in his 40s is recovering after a shooting in the Jane-Finch area late Tuesday. Toronto Police said two groups of men outside an apartment building on Marsh Grass Way were involved in an argument when shots rang out around 11:30 p.m. The victim was rushed to Sunnybrook hospital with wounds to his torso and leg. He is expected to survive.

Humewood–Cedarvale is a Toronto neighbourhood that is also known as “The Woods” or separately as the unique neighbourhoods of Humewood and Cedarvale. It is located in the former York section of Toronto. The boundaries of Humewood-Cedarvale are Eglinton Avenue in the north, St. Clair Avenue in the south, Bathurst Street in the east and Winnett Avenue in the west. Humewood-Cedarvale is primarily a residential neighbourhood, with many single-family homes. However, there are also a number of small businesses including restaurants, cafes and bars. Most of these are located along Eglinton Avenue and St. Clair Avenue. North of Cedarvale Park to Eglinton and east to Bathurst, there is an average of 3.62 crimes against people per 1000 living and working in the area. There is an average of 9.53 crimes against property. In the area west of Cedarvale Park to Winnett Avenue and south to Vaughan Road, there is an average of 6.11 crimes against people and 11.24 crimes against property. South of Vaughan Road to St. Clair, including Humewood Park, there is an average of 3.88 crimes against people and 14.73 crimes against property. In February 2008 a woman was attacked and sexually assaulted as she stepped off of a bus in the St. Clair Avenue and Vaughan Road area. From the Toronto Star:

A 29-year-old man has been charged with sexual assault for allegedly attacking a woman after she got off a TTC bus. The incident occurred around 12:35 a.m. Tuesday, near Bathurst St. and St. Clair Ave. W., as the woman got off the bus and walked along Vaughan Rd., police say. The victim was chased down, confined and sexually assaulted after she made eye contact with someone across the road, according to police.

In August 2008 a man was stabbed in the Eglinton Avenue and Bathurst Street area. Also from the Toronto Star:

A man had just left a variety store in the Eglinton and Bathurst area when a man approached him and started stabbing him in the back with a pen. Police arrested a suspect, believed to be responsible for the stabbing at the library as well, a short time later, said Olsen. The victim did not require medical attention.

The police stated that the attack was unprovoked. Both of these crime show how innocent people can suddenly become victims of crime. Thankfully, there are a few things you can do to keep yourself safe. The first thing you can do is to be aware of your surroundings at all time. If you notice that someone is following you, if you feel uneasy about your surroundings or if you believe that you are in danger for any reason, trust your instincts and get away from your current location as soon as possible. If you have a cell phone, call a friend as soon as you feel uneasy. If anything does happen to you, your friend will immediately know and he or she can call for help. If you are traveling late at night or in an unfamiliar area, it often helps to travel with another person. Criminals will frequently avoid attacking two people walking together as this is more difficult. If you are attacked, scream loudly in order to attraction the attention those around you. Do everything you can to avoid being taken to a second location by a criminal. For more information on safety and security, consider subscribing to the SafeTech Alarm Systems Peace of Mind newsletter. This newsletter contains important tips on how you can protect yourself and avoid becoming a victim.

Humberwood is a Toronto neighbourhood that is located in the former City of Etobicoke. The neighbourhood boundaries are Highway 427 in the west, Highway 27 in the east, Rexdale Boulevard in the south and Humberline Drive, Humber College Blvd and Finch Avenue in the north. It is located in the northwestern edge of Etobicoke. Humberwood Centre is one of the most notable places in the region. It is an integrated, mixed-use facility that includes a Catholic school, a junior middle school, a public library, a child development centre and a parks and recreation centre, community hall and community centre.

Humberwood Crime Rates

Humberwood has an average amount of crime and the crime rates in the region are similar to those of the surrounding neighbourhoods. The crime rate is relatively average for the City of Toronto. In the area south of the Humber River to Rexdale Boulevard, between Highway 27 and Highway 427, there is an average of 3.96 crimes against people and 20.84 crimes against property. North of the Humber River there is an average of 7.04 crimes against people and 11.18 crimes against property.

Humberwood Crime

In August 2008 a man was shot in a drive-by shooting in the Finch and 427 area. From Parent Central:

A man is in hospital after being shot in the shoulder in a drive-by shooting in the city’s northwest end. The victim was shot at around 5:50 p.m. as he sat in his car on Channing Place, a residential area north of Etobicoke’s William Osler Health Centre, near Finch Ave W. and Highway 27. Witnesses said they saw the passenger of a dark red or purple Chrysler Intrepid fire three or four shots at the victim, while heading south down Channing Place. The victim, who is in his twenties, was hit in the left shoulder and was taken to Sunnybrook hospital in serious condition.

In November 2010, two people were injured in a shooting that also took place in the Finch and 427 area. From 680 News:

Two people were injured following a Saturday morning shooting in the Finch 427 area, Peel Regional Police confirmed. Gunfire rang out at an after hours club on Brandon Gate. One person remains in critical condition with a bullet wound to the back; the second victim was shot in the leg. A suspect was taken into custody.

In July 2009, a home in Humberwood was invaded and the family inside was threatened and extorted. From the Toronto Star:

An Etobicoke family is recovering after a terrifying home invasion during which they were tied up and threatened with death early Thursday morning. Up to five burglars stormed into an apartment on 700 Humberwood Blvd. around 4 a.m. and demanded $70,000 cash from the two adults, who were tied up with their baby. The family was told they would be killed if the money wasn’t delivered to the suspects by the end of the day. Following the attack, the culprits headed to a housing complex on Rowntree Rd. to pick up the money.

Home invasions are terrifying and can often lead to serious injury or death. In order to protect your home and your family, you need to have a strong security system in place. You must make sure that all of your doors and windows lock securely and that the locks, door and window frames and the doors and windows themselves cannot be easily broken. Bars and gates can provide this extra protection. In addition, home alarm systems should secure all entrances, not just doors on the ground floor. A centrally monitored alarm system will be able to alert the police of the situation even if you are unable to speak, which sometimes is the case during a home invasion. Video surveillance cameras are also great tools for deterring criminals as well as for providing evidence of criminal activity. Centrally monitored video cameras can be used in conjunction with a centrally monitored alarm system to allow the monitoring station to identify the type of crime taking place before quickly dispatching police. In the Humberwood invasion situation, nearby residents were shocked that this type of violent crime could occur in their neighbourhood. From CityNews:

Humberwood resident John Chambers says it’s unusual to have something like this happen in that location. “It’s a really nice building and when you see stuff like this, it puts a stigma on the building,” he stated.

It is important to remember that crime can unfortunately take place at any time in any neighbourhood. Protecting yourself with a high quality alarm system is a great way to keep yourself save should the unfortunate occur. For more information on how you can keep you and your family safe, please contact our loss prevention experts.

High Park (sometimes called High Park North) is a Toronto neighbourhood that is located near the Toronto park of the same name. High Park is a 161 hectare park located west of downtown Toronto. It is the largest park that is entirely within the City of Toronto. The High Park neighbourhood is located just north of the actual park itself, which is why it is sometimes known as the neighbourhood of “High Park North.” The neighbourhood’s southern boundary is Bloor Street West. The northern boundary is located along Annette Street. High Park North stretches to Runnymede Road in the west and Quebec Avenue in the east. Generally crime in the area is somewhat low, especially considering that it is located in a large city like Toronto. High Park North is a very peaceful neighbourhood and is home to many families. People from around the city are drawn to the neighbourhood due to the large park. However, as it is a downtown Toronto neighbourhood, High Park North unfortunately does sees some crime. The park itself is sometimes the scene, but the neighbouring homes and businesses can become targets as well in some instances. As for the High Park crime rate, there is an average of 6.35 crimes against people per 1000 people living and working in the area. There is an average of 13.17 crimes against property per 1000. As mentioned earlier, sometimes crimes take place within the park itself. However, nearby residents should note that rarely do criminals have defined boundaries. They often have no problem crossing from a park into the nearby homes, especially if they feel that they will be able to strike local houses. It is always important to arm your security system and verify that all aspects of your home alarm system are functioning correctly. In June 2011 a 23-year-old woman was sexually assaulted in High Park itself during the daytime. From CBC News:

The assault occurred at around 1:45 p.m. Thursday near Grenadier Pond at the western edge of the busy park. A 23-year-old woman was walking alone in the area when she was grabbed by a man and sexually assaulted, police said in a release.

This was not the first assault to take place in the park. In 2009, a woman was kidnapped and driven to the park where she was sexually assaulted. From the Toronto Star:

Police are searching for three suspects they say kidnapped and sexually assaulted a 25-year-old woman in High Park. At 1:30 a.m. today the woman was walking on Eglinton Rd. W. near Dufferin St. when three men forced her into a black vehicle. Police said they drove her to High Park, where the men sexually assaulted her. The woman managed to escape and alerted police. She provided descriptions of the three men.

In addition to these terrible crimes, several thefts have taken place in the area, including bicycle thefts. In 2007, Toronto Police issued a statement regarding a series of “swarming” robberies that were taking place in High Park and the surrounding area. From the release:

High Park is visited by many residents and tourists during the summer months. Most have a safe and pleasant experience. However over recent weeks there have been several reports to 11 Division of groups of youths or young adults “swarming” other youths. The items stolen during these swarmings are usually bicycles, ipods and wallets. It should be remembered that this type of crime can happen in any place that has secluded areas even on a quiet street in your neighbourhood. Several arrests have been made related to these crimes. Police presence in High Park has also recently increased in conjunction with a public awareness campaign related to these crimes.

As noted in the release, quiet neighbourhoods can be hit by criminals just like any other neighbourhood. This is an unfortunate fact of like. Some criminals actually prefer to strike in quiet neighbourhoods or parks where they may not be noticed easily. Since fewer people are around, there is a chance for criminals to commit their crimes without being spotted. A way to counteract this is to install video security cameras both in your home and outside in order to view your property. Video surveillance is incredibly powerful and an excellent way to catch criminals in the act. Video security cameras also act as a deterrent. Criminals who do not want to be caught will frequently avoid areas where their actions could be recorded.