Toronto police launch initiative to combat tow truck-related violence with shootings on the rise
Posted January 13, 2025 8:24 am.
The Toronto Police Service (TPS) has launched a new safety project to combat tow truck violence due to a recent rise in shootings within the industry, believed to be related to turf wars.
TPS said Project Dodger will concentrate on addressing firearm discharges, shooting incidents, and other criminal activities linked to a small group of “bad actors” within the tow truck industry.
Last week, several shootings were reported in Scarborough that were confirmed to involve tow truck drivers. In one instance, a driver was the victim of a targeted drive-by shooting after a suspect driving a dark-coloured Honda pulled up and a gunman opened fire.
On Monday, TPS shared statistics related to tow truck crimes in the city. In 2024, tow truck-related disputes were connected to 63 firearm discharge and shooting incidents, making up nearly 13 per cent of all shootings in Toronto.
Police said so far in 2025, these incidents have surged, now accounting for 70 per cent of the city’s shootings.
“Project Dodger’s primary goal is to improve safety for tow truck operators and the public,” TPS wrote in a news release.
“To achieve this, plainclothes and uniformed officers will be deployed in critical areas across the city to deter violence and ensure compliance with industry regulations. The team will investigate violent incidents, including firearm discharges, shootings and arsons, which have been tied to ongoing territorial disputes within the tow truck industry.”
TPS Superintendent Paul MacIntyre said that the recent violence involving tow truck drivers stems from only a small part of the industry.
“The success of Project Beacon highlighted the impact of collaboration and enforcement,” MacIntyre said. “Through Project Dodger, we will continue to work diligently to protect our communities and ensure safety across the city.”
