Violence is down on the TTC, new data shows — but some say 'move along' measures hurt homeless people
CBC
The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) says recent initiatives aimed at improving safety on public transit are working, following the release of data showing violent incidents against customers and employees are decreasing.
The agency launched a new online dashboard Monday that tracks and displays metrics such as the rate of criminal offences against TTC customers and employees, the number of calls for service people with complex needs or who are underhoused and major crimes on all transit systems across Toronto.
According to the dashboard, the rate of reported offences against customers stood at 1.82 per million customers in May, a 32.6 per cent decrease from the rate in January. The rate of offences against employees was 8.39 incidents per 100 employees in May 2023, a 3.3 per cent decrease from January.
"Furthermore, the types of offences have become less aggressive in nature. This is an early indication of the positive impact of recent initiatives implemented in response to community safety and security concerns," according to a report from the TTC's chief safety officer, Betty Hasserjian.
However, not all incidents are declining.
There were 220 major crimes reported on all transit systems in Toronto in May, up from 162 in April and 177 in January. Major crimes include assaults, robbery, sexual assault, and shootings.
"As promising as this trend is, we know the job is far from done. We remain committed to building on these initiatives to ensure we are addressing the concerns we've heard," TTC CEO Rick Leary said in a news release.
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The dashboard tracking comes in response to a series of violent incidents on the TTC, including the fatal stabbing of a 16-year-old boy, BB gun shootings, an alleged swarming and people being pushed onto the tracks.
Since January, the TTC has taken a number of measures to improve safety, including increasing the presence of special constables, supervisors, trained community safety ambassadors and outreach teams. The transit agency is also working with the city's shelter and housing support staff, police and Toronto Public Health.
"Decisions our board has made to invest in safety, security and cleanliness are clearly paying off," TTC Chair Jon Burnside said in a news release.
"We will continue to monitor this program through regular updates and reports as safety remains our paramount concern."
But some transit and anti-poverty advocacy groups are raising concerns about one part of that program — a safety initiative called the "Getting Back to Transit (Move Along)" policy.
The policy, which launched last month, aims to discourage people from seeking shelter on the TTC overnight.
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