Thorncliff Park is a Toronto neighbourhood that is located in the former borough of East York. Thorncliff Park is one of the most densely populated areas of the city. The boundaries of the neighbourhood are somewhat debatable as different people and organizations recognize different Thorncliff Park boundaries. A common set of boundaries includes the Don River in the east, Millwood Road in the west, Wicksteed Avenue and Research Road in the north and the railway tracks between Millwood and Wicksteed in the northeast. However some consider the area north of the railway tracks, to Eglinton Avenue and Laird Avenue, to be included in the Thorncliff Park neighbourhood. When analyzing crime statistics, it is important to understand that criminals do not stop at predefined boundaries. While it is very useful to look at the statistics for a certain area, it is also important to investigate the crime statistics of the neighbouring regions as well. Crime often crosses between neigbourhoods. Due to this, it is vital to note what the crime statistics are north of the railway tracks, whether or not you consider this area to be a part of Thorncliff Park. In the area north of Overlea Boulevard, west of the Don River and stretching until Eglinton in the north and Laird in the west, there is an average of 3.23 crimes against people per 1000 people living and working in the area. There is an average of 14.16 crimes against property. The area in the southeast of the neighbourhood that is surrounded by the Don River, Thorncliff Park Drive and Overlea Boulevard has an average of 7.03 crimes against people and 10.16 crimes against property. Just to the west of that region, in the area surrounded by Thorncliff Park Drive and Overlea Boulevard, there is an average of 9.63 crimes against people and 54.14 crimes against property. This is one of the
Toronto areas with the most property crime. West of that region, in the area bordered by Thorncliff Park Dr., Overlea Blvd. and Millwood Road, there is an average of 3.23 crimes against people and 14.16 crimes against property. In August 2007, a man was stabbed to death outside of an apartment near Thorncliff Park Drive and Overlea Boulevard. From the Toronto Star:
Police are on the hunt for one suspect after a 35-year-old man was stabbed outside an east end apartment building this morning. Blue paramedic gloves remained in the cordoned off parking lot at the end of Milepost Pl., near Thorncliffe Park Dr. and Overlea Blvd., this afternoon, where an area resident was found dead around 7:30 a.m. Police have yet to find a weapon or release a suspect description. Preliminary investigation indicates that the victim was involved in “some kind of altercation” with someone he knew before he was stabbed.
In May 2007 a 17-year-old boy was was beaten and shot near a school in Thorncliff Park. From MyTownCrier.ca:
The incident began in the rear of Thorncliffe Park Junior School about 7:30 p.m. where the victim and a group of males had convened. Police say the encounter turned violent when the group began to pepper-spray and physically attack the victim. When he fought back, one man allegedly shot at him twice at close range. The wounded victim took off on foot toward a nearby store, while three boys in the group chased him. They caught up to him and continued their assault, fleeing only when store employees intervened. The victim was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
In July 2011, three men were attacked outside a local shopping mall. From CTV:
Police said two 19-year-old males and an 18-year-old male were leaving the East York Town Centre, near Thorncliffe Park and Overlea Blvd., at around 8:30 p.m. when they were approached by a group of men. One victim was shot in the leg, while another was stabbed in the stomach and chest. The third victim was stabbed near the eye. The victim who was shot was taken to hospital with serious injuries. The two other victims were also treated in hospital.
In August 2011, two teenagers were arrested in Thorncliff Park on firearm and drug charges. From the Toronto Sun:
Police took two loaded handguns off the streets after cops arrested a couple of teenagers who were selling drugs on Thorncliffe Park Dr., Toronto Police said Thursday. Officers with 53 Division’s major crime unit spotted a drug deal go down around 5:45 p.m. Tuesday, Const. Tony Vella said. Two teens fled as the cops approached but were arrested after a short chase. During the search, officers found a loaded 9-mm handgun, cocaine, marijuana and some cash.
