‘Who are the offenders?’: Police board seeks data on hate crime perpetrators
Hate crimes aim to intimidate, terrorize, and sometimes kill Londoners— and they’re on the rise.
On Thursday, the London Police Services Board (LPSB) meeting was dominated by a discussion about the two-year spike in hate crimes and hate incidents reported to police.
“Who are the offenders?” asked Councillor Jesse Helmer.
He recommended future reports include demographic data about those charged with hate crimes in order to identify where proactive steps should be targeted.
Police Chief Steve Williams said the majority of those charged are young white men and youths.
“Historically, communities of colour felt white supremacy extremism was not taken as seriously as other forms of terrorism, and hopefully that’s changing,” said Police Board Chair Susan Toth.
The board also requested that gender-based data be provided in future reports to reflect that targeted violence against women is also a form of hate.
In 2021, the number of hate crimes and hate incidents reported in London climbed 57 per cent— 146 occurrences.
This troubling trend began in 2020 with a 52 per cent increase (93 occurrences) over previous years which had averaged about 60.
Hate crimes and hate incidents reported to London Police (Courtesy: London Police Service)
“KKK was here, another bad symbol here,” described Ahmad Jawad as he showed the white fence on his property where racist and sexual graffiti was discovered on Wednesday.
Several street signs were also vandalized near his home on Hawthorne Road.
Jawad took it upon himself to clean it before children and neighbours were exposed to the hateful and sexual images.
“Everyone should take care of their community, that’s why I did it,” he told CTV News.
London Police are investigating the incident as the city’s latest hate crimes.
Deputy Chief Stuart Betts told the board that eliminating hate goes beyond the scope of local police, requiring an ongoing community-wide commitment.
“As hurtful as these occurrences are, the people of London continue to show their resilience and support to victims of such crimes,” he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.