Toronto Police chief speaks out against 'disturbing' assaults against parking enforcement officers

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Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw says the “disturbing” rise in the number of assaults against parking enforcement officers (PEOs) in the city is “unacceptable and will not be tolerated.”

Demkiw said in 2021 there were six assaults against PEOs, compared to 15 in 2022, and 46 in 2023. As of July 18 of this year, there have been 27.

“In most of these cases, the member was assaulted while they served a parking ticket,” Demkiw said at a news conference on Tuesday.

“This has a huge impact on their personal and professional lives. I know that some people get frustrated while trying to find parking in the city but violence is never the answer. Our police service does not tolerate acts of violence towards our members or any member of the community. One assault on a parking enforcement officer is too many.”

Demkiw said the consequences for such an assault are serious and include being charged with assaulting a peace officer and can lead to a conviction, imprisonment, fines, and a criminal record that could prevent someone from travelling or getting a job.

“Those who would result to violence over a parking ticket, I would encourage you to think twice,” Demkiw said.

Toronto Police Association President Jon Reid, who represents 370 PEOs, said “they do not deserve to be cursed at, pushed, punched, let alone have to jump out of the way of a moving vehicle. They deserve the respect of the city and everybody in the city. To risk jail for a $30 parking ticket is beyond anyone’s understanding.”

The chief was asked if people frustrated with Toronto’s much-discussed traffic gridlock could be the culprit behind the increase in assaults.

“I think we all understand that it leads to a sense of frustration,” Demkiw said.

“I’ve been a lifelong resident of the city and I’ve watched the change over the years and I totally get the frustration but let me be very, very clear, the message today is resorting to violence when you’re frustrated and taking out violence on our members is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.”

He was also asked about any economic factors such as an increase in people being unable to pay for a parking ticket.

“We have seen a change in polarization in our communities on a number of levels and I think this is one example where we’re seeing people act out that’s inconsistent with the values of our great city,” the chief responded.

Demkiw reminded the public that PEOs “are uniformed civilian members” who cover Toronto’s 158 neighborhoods “keeping the city’s roads and people safe.”

The chief said in 2023, parking enforcement officers helped recover 1,100 stolen vehicles, facilitated more ethan 21,000 vehicles being towed, assisted with 16 arrests, and provided support to 246 special events.

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