Summary - Police Seminar Sept 10
Toronto Police Division 22 Officers visited Kingsway South, Etobicoke.
Here's a recap of the seminar with the 22 Division community constables Marco Ricciardi, Masood, Kurt and Albert. Thank you Principal Craig Howe for hosting us at LKS. Feel free to thank Craig with a donation to the school.
Without prejudice - please note this summary is an AI summarized note from an audio recording taken in good faith. Do not replace this for advice that you receive directly from the police or a legal professional. While the second hand advice here may reduce the likelihood of crime, crime can happen any time to any one.
When to Call What
911: Any emergency — crime in progress, injury, fire, medical crisis, break-in in progress, or "someone may be in danger." When in doubt, call 911.
416-808-2222 or *877 - Non-emergency line: Delayed reporting (e.g., returning from vacation to a break-in that already happened), incident already occurred
311: Noise complaints, non-urgent neighborhood nuisances
211: United Way operated social services
TPS online reporting: For low-priority reports, pattern documentation (e.g., recurring suspicious vehicle)
Home Security Recommendations
Lock everything — doors, windows, garage-to-house door — even when home
Use an alarm system; arm it every time you leave and when home;
Test your alarm 1–2x/year — tell your neighbours first;
Add an audible exterior siren (legal in Toronto) and a strobe light to help police locate the address
Install exterior cameras with overlapping coverage (driveway, entry points, sides of house); cameras deter/assist investigations but don't prevent crime by themselves - do not point cameras directly onto your neighbour’s property
Store valuables (cash, jewelry) somewhere non-obvious — not in a visible/unsecured safe; bolt down safes if used
Keep landscaping low (under ~2 ft near windows, general max 7 ft) so sightlines to doors/windows aren't blocked
Get to know neighbors — share travel plans, watch each other's homes
Avoid broadcasting travel plans on social media
Vehicle Security
Never leave valuables, wallets, or garage door openers in the car
Consider steering wheel locks, immobilizers (e.g., aftermarket ignition-disable systems), GPS trackers (or even an Apple AirTag)
Dash cams (front and back) recommended — useful for theft, insurance fraud, and liability disputes
VIN cover is legal for parked vehicles (prevents key-fob reprogramming theft) but must be removable for police/parking enforcement checks
Self-Defense & Legal Boundaries
In Canada only "reasonable force" is legal
You cannot use lethal force to protect property (e.g., a stolen car)
Officer's advice: if intruders want car keys, prioritize human safety over property
Improvised "weapons of opportunity" (bat, knife used for its ordinary purpose) are legally different from carrying something intended as a weapon
If involved in a critical incident, you're legally entitled to stay silent until consulting a lawyer
Booby traps (e.g., bottles of bleach) are illegal and can lead to charges
Dogs are deemed more effective than alarm signs or stickers
E-Bikes/Scooters
Rising injuries among youth from high-powered e-bikes/scooters; riders under 16 shouldn't operate them.
Toronto did not opt into the provincial e-scooter pilot — e-bikes/scooters are illegal on public property here.
Neighborhood Policing Structure
Division 22 Etobicoke Police Service covers a large area (~25,000–50,000 people), increasingly dense especially along the Queensway/condo corridors
3 neighborhood officers rotate 7-day-on/11-hour-shift schedules;
Neighborhoods assigned based on a data-driven formula tracking resource/call volume by area
Hot spots include Humber Bay Shores, areas near Humber College, Kipling/Islington & Dundas, and the subway stations (due to surrounding retail/condos)
Crime Stats (22 Division, 2024–2026 YTD)
Auto theft up ~4% year-over-year; division tracks categories like theft-under, break-and-enter, motor vehicle collision, intimate partner violence, mental health apprehensions
Retail theft numbers are elevated due to concentration of stores/malls in the area.
Next Steps
Review this checklist from police to secure your home
Email our city councillor sharing your thoughts
Email our Member of Provincial Parliament with your concerns
Email our Federal Member of Parliament with your concerns
Government Roles
Municipal: policing resources/allocation, bylaws
Provincial: prosecutors, judges, bail, funding for task forces/equipment (e.g., helicopter)
Federal: laws, border enforcement
Posting to social media is not a substitute to report crime as it happens.
If you see crime happening, CALL 911 immediately.
About the Speaker
Marco Ricciardi is a police constable with 26 years of service at the Toronto Police Service.
Marco has diverse experience, including roles in Primary Response, Community Response, Criminal Investigations, Child Exploitation, Traffic Response, Major Crime, G20 Planning, CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive), Transit Patrol, Traffic Enforcement, Community Investigative Support, CIRT (Critical Incident Response Team), and currently Crime Prevention & Community Relations.
Outside of work, he enjoys quality time with his family and has a passion for technology. Marco is also fluent in French and Italian.
Kudos to KPRI member Yafa Sakkejha for organizing this event.
