Mayor Tory ‘extremely troubled’ by rise in carjackings, asks feds for help

Toronto mayor John Tory has issued an open letter to the federal and provincial governments following a surge in carjackings and vehicle thefts across the GTA.

In a letter addressed to the federal ministers of transportation and public safety, and Ontario’s solicitor general and minister of finance, Tory calls for additional resources to be provided to Toronto Police and says all levels of government need to work together to improve public safety in the city.

“I’m extremely troubled by the increase in carjackings we are seeing in the city,” says Tory in a statement. “I know Toronto Police are also concerned by this brazen, criminal activity, and are working to do everything they can to arrest those responsible.”

Toronto police are reporting auto thefts are up 55 per cent over last year, and carjackings specifically have seen a more drastic surge. There have been 93 carjackings to date compared to only 21 at this time last year, the total number of carjackings in 2022 has almost reached the 2021 total of 103.

“This situation and the trend line cannot continue and I am writing to ask for your help,” reads the letter from Tory.

Tory says Toronto police are responding to the surge by forming an investigative team that will work with police partners across the province. He says more information about the teams will be made available in the coming days.

“These are organized criminals, they are people that are engaged in brazen kind of behaviour that does put the safety of citizens at risk,” said Tory when asked about the increase in vehicle thefts on Thursday.

“Putting the lives of people at risk of endangering the safety of neighbourhoods is just not something we are going to accept and I’ve given the police chief my full support.”

In a written response issued Friday evening, Marco Mendicino, Canada’s Minister of Public Safety, agreed with Tory’s assessment.

“The rise in auto theft across the Greater Toronto Area is deeply concerning,” Mendicino said. “We will continue to work closely with Mayor John Tory and support efforts by City Councillor Mike Colle to bring together all levels of government and law enforcement to create a task force to address this alarming issue and keep our communities safe.”

Related:

• WATCH: Video shows carjackings in York Region; police warn of rise in violent vehicle thefts

Spike in Toronto carjackings in the last week

Toronto police are searching for suspects after three armed carjackings were committed in less than a two-hour span on Wednesday night.

On Tuesday, officers arrested a teenage boy and are on the lookout for two other suspects after three males attempted to carjack a woman in a box store parking lot in Rexdale.

On Monday, Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner was carjacked at gunpoint by a group of suspects in the parking lot of a Cineplex in Etobicoke.

Toronto police are also investigating after a stolen Lamborghini taken during a downtown Toronto home invasion was found in Etobicoke on Thursday.

“This one, we are not considering a carjacking,” says Toronto police Insp. Paul Krawczyk.  “But the theft of vehicles is something we are taking very seriously.”

Carjacking prevention tips from police

Police are urging vehicle owners to take the following tips into consideration to help prevent further thefts:

Carjacking prevention tips

• Trust your instincts and be aware of your surroundings.
• If you suspect you are being followed, on the road or into your driveway, call 911.
• If you are approached by thieves, remain calm and comply. Don’t fight back. Call 911 as soon as possible.

Vehicle prevention tips

• Call the police immediately to report suspicious people or activity.
• If possible, park your vehicle in a locked garage. Most vehicles are stolen from a driveway.
• Use a steering wheel lock. It will also act as a visible deterrent.
• Install a lock on the data port. This simple device can be purchased online and blocks access to the computer port where the thieves gain access to reprogram the vehicle’s keys.
• Consider purchasing a quality video surveillance system.
• Inspect your vehicle regularly and call the police if you notice any suspicious potential tracking devices.