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‘A disturbing trend’: Toronto police seeing uptick in assaults against parking officers

Toronto police say they are seeing an increase in the number of assaults on parking enforcement officers in the city, which the chief of police is describing as a “disturbing trend.”

“In most of these cases, the member was assaulted while they served a parking ticket. This is unacceptable behaviour,” Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw said at a news conference on Tuesday to address the issue.

Police said the number of assaults against Toronto parking enforcement officers has been growing in recent years, with six incidents in 2021, 15 incidents in 2022 and 46 incidents in 2023. As of July 18 of this year, police have seen 27 assaults so far.

Toronto Police Association President Jon Reid spoke alongside Demkiw and said some officers in the 370-member unit have been spat on and punched while performing their duties.

“They do not deserve to be cursed at, pushed, punched, let alone have to jump out of the way of a moving vehicle. They deserve to go home to their families and feel safe and unscathed,” Reid said.

This is a developing story. More to come.

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