Toronto's Vital Signs® Issue Area
Safety

Why it matters “Community and public safety is the cornerstone of building strong and vibrant neighbourhoods. A lack of safety diminishes the quality of life for individuals and families, and hinders the development of cohesive communities.” - Stephnie Payne, Executive Director San Romanoway Revitalization Association

• Crime rates in Toronto dropped again for the fourth year in a row in 2010 to a rate of 5,864 criminal code offenses per 100,000 population. The Toronto Region’s total crime rate is still the lowest of any of the 32 metropolitan regions in Canada.
• The majority of high-rise apartment dwellers in Toronto’s inner suburbs generally feel safe: only 12% in a recent study felt their building was unsafe.
• At 216 police officers per 100,000 population in 2010 (up 1.9% from 212 in 2009), the per capita policing rate in Toronto was 8% higher than the provincial average. The police service now costs close to $1 billion annually.

Featured solutions from our Community Knowledge Centre
Our Community Knowledge Centre features solutions to the issues identified in Toronto's Vital Signs. Organizations who have received a grant from our Vital Toronto Fund are identified.

		San Romanoway Revitalization Association San Romanoway Revitalization Association (SRRA) promotes a sense of belonging in the San Romanoway and Jane-Finch community through a wide range of programs serving residents of all ages and backgrounds. SRRA works with local high-rise building management, residents, local businesses, and the Toronto Police department to combat increased crime rates and marginalization in one of Toronto’s 13 priority neighbourhoods by creating a safer and healthier community. Vital Toronto Fund award recipient 2010 Learn more about San Romanoway Revitalization Association »
		Peacebuilders International (Canada) Peacebuilders’ mission is to build peaceful and sustainable communities by creating cross-cultural partnerships among youth and adults, building capacity for healthy relationships, personal resiliency and leadership. Peacebuilders’ vision is diverse peoples and cultures committed to building peace. Peacebuilders’ Toronto-based, award-winning programs aim to break the cycle of crime and punishment by helping troubled teens to stay out of the justice system and giving them the help and support that they need to change directions, graduate from school and lead positive, productive lives.  Vital Toronto Fund award recipient 2009 Learn more about Peacebuilders International (Canada) »
		Roots of Empathy Roots of Empathy offers empathy-based programming for children. Their vision is to change the world - child by child. Their mission is to build caring, peaceful, and civil societies through the development of empathy in children and adults. Their focus over the long term is to build capacity for responsible citizenship and responsive parenting. In the short term, Roots of Empathy focuses on raising levels of empathy, resulting in more respectful and caring relationships and reduced levels of bullying and aggression. Vital Toronto Fund award recipient 2006 Learn more about Roots of Empathy »