Regent Park is a Toronto neighbourhood located in the downtown area of the city. It is Toronto’s oldest and largest social housing project. Currently Regent Park is currently undergoing massive redevelopment. The boundaries of the neighbourhood are Gerrard Street in the north and Shuter Street in the south. River Street is the eastern boundary and Parliament Street is the western boundary. There is unfortunately a high amount of crime against people and crime against property in the neighbourhood, though the current redevelopment is hoping to solve many of those problems. In the area south of Gerrard Street to Dundas Street, between Parliament Street and the Don Valley Parkway, there is an average of 11.97 crimes against people per 1000 living and working in the area and 18.53 crimes against property. South of Dundas Street to Queen Street, from Parliament Street to the DVP, there is an average of 12.99 crimes against people and 22.39 crimes against property. The regions described above are slightly larger than the boundaries of Regent Park, but they still give an indication about crime in the area. Also, it is important to study the surrounding regions as crime does not stop at certain streets as you enter a new neighbourhood. Being vigilant about what it taking place around you and understanding the potential for crime in your neighbourhood is one of the keys to remaining safe. In July 2011 a man was arrested for impersonating a police officer in Regent Park. From CTV:
Police said a man presenting himself as a police officer approached at least 14 seniors in the Regent Park area earlier this month asking for identification. When the victims handed over their wallets, the fake officer fled. McQuade was arrested on July 7 after police released surveillance footage of the fake officer in action.
This is another situation that shows the power of security camera footage. Having a security camera means that you also have powerful evidence of a crime should one take place. Police officers frequently ask for surveillance footage within minutes of arriving at the scene of a crime. For more information on security cameras and how they can protect you and your property, please visit our security cameras page. In September 2011 a man was stabbed in Regent Park and rushed to hospital. From the Toronto Sun:
A man is fighting for his life in hospital after he was found lying in the street suffering from stab wounds early Friday. The man — in his late 40s or early 50s — received multiple stab wounds to the back and was also suffering from serious head trauma when a passerby spotted him near Dundas and River Sts. around 4:30 a.m., Toronto Police said. Police were contacted and the victim was rushed to an area trauma centre with life-threatening injuries.
In November 2010 a teenager was shot and killed near Dundas and River Street as well. From the Toronto Star:
The homicide squad is investigating after a teen was gunned down at a Regent Park townhouse complex Monday afternoon. A distressed man, believed to be the 18-year-old victim’s father, ran out in the intersection of Dundas and River Sts. just after 2 p.m. and flagged down a passing police cruiser on a routine patrol. Once out of the car, the sergeant found the teen suffering from a gunshot wound on the first floor of one of the row houses. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Dundas Street and River Street was also the scene of a murder in 2010. From CBC:
Toronto homicide detectives are investigating a double shooting that left two teenagers dead early Saturday morning. Sealand White, 15, and Jermaine Derby, 19, were fatally shot around 2 a.m. when they were leaving a party at an apartment building at 605 Whiteside Pl., near Dundas Street East and River Street in the city’s Regent Park neighbourhood. The two were heading down the elevator to the main floor. The elevator opened on the main floor and both victims were shot.
In December 2006 a man was killed during a fight in Regent Park from the Toronto Star:
A man taken to hospital following a fight in Regent Park early Thursday morning has succumbed to his injuries. Police were called to a high-rise on Oak St., just east of River St., after a security guard at the building called for an ambulance just before 12:15 a.m.
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