York Regional Police Response to Violence in the Middle East
October 27, 2023
In light of the continued violence in the Middle East and community concern around safety and security within our region, York Regional Police is reassuring citizens that York Regional Police will continue to support our communities through increased outreach, visibility and police patrols across York Region.
The Executive Leadership Team and senior command have been carefully monitoring the situation since it began. We know global events can have a profound local impact and that many of our residents have been deeply affected by the widespread suffering and unrest. Our thoughts remain with all affected.
York Regional Police remains in frequent contact with federal and provincial partners and to date, has not identified a credible threat.
However, York Regional Police is actively monitoring the situation and will continue to deploy police resources strategically, including operating two command posts in the south end of the region. One is located in the parking lot of the Promenade Shopping Centre. The other is a mobile command post, utilizing the RIDE truck, which is being deployed in several different locations, including Canada’s Wonderland in the City of Vaughan, the Armadale Community Centre in the City of Markham and Hillcrest Mall in Richmond Hill (please check www.yrp.ca for specific locations on specific dates). Both command posts will be staffed between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. every day for the foreseeable future.
On Saturday, October 28 and Sunday, October 29, the mobile command post will be located at Hillcrest Mall, at 9350 Yonge Street, in the area of Rutherford Road and Yonge Street in the City of Richmond Hill.
Officers staffing both command posts will continue to engage citizens, take reports and discuss community concerns with citizens. Representatives from Victim Services of York Region will be available as needed.
Additional police patrols will continue each day and through the evening hours for increased visibility and to provide further reassurance to residents. The focus will continue to be synagogues and mosques, additional faith-based locations and institutions, as well as community centres, faith-based educational facilities and other local gathering places.
We will continue to maintain public safety for all individuals and communities across York Region. We remain committed to ensuring equity, fairness and inclusion in all interactions with our community
York Regional Police understands and appreciates feelings of conflict and pain in our community as events around the world continue to be felt here in York Region. We will continue to assess and reassess the impact that global events are having on our communities to ensure that York Regional Police meets the needs of its community.
How you can help:
- Report hate crimes or hate/bias incidents. York Regional Police will not tolerate any form of hate crime or the threat of violence against anyone. All reports of hate crime or hate/bias incidents will be investigated thoroughly. If you witness or have been the victim of a hate crime or hate/bias incident, report it to York Regional Police immediately
- If you have learned about a demonstration or other large gathering happening in our region, please let York Regional Police know by email to demonstrations@yrp.ca. York Regional Police is committed to providing an unbiased approach to the preservation of peace and the prevention of crimes at any lawful demonstration, protest or rally
- If you have information about a crime, or if you have seen someone commit a crime, police need to know about it. Any criminal act in our region must be reported immediately to York Regional Police. If you witness an emergency or a crime in progress, or know of a serious crime that has just occurred, call 9-1-1. If you wish to report another non-emergency event, call the non-emergency line at 1-866-876-5423
- For the most up-to-date information and activities of York Regional Police, please visit www.yrp.ca
Contact: York Regional Police Services Board, 1-877-464-9675 ext. 77906 or psb@yrp.ca
Alternative formats or communication supports are available upon request.
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