Spurred by what it describes as rising hate-related crimes, Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) launched its second annual #NoHateInHalton campaign today in local schools.
“According to the service, there were 40 reported hate crimes in 2022. [That is] an increase from 31 reported in 2021,” Police Services Board Chair Jeff Knoll told the gathered public, stakeholders and media at a launch event held at police headquarters this morning (March 20).
#NoHateInHalton aims to bring awareness to the issue of hate-related, sometimes called bias-related, crimes in the region. More specifically, HRPS has partnered with various English and French school boards and Crime Stoppers to deliver messaging this week against bigotry in 180 schools and learning facilities.
The purpose of the messaging is to:
- Eliminate hate or bias-motivated incidents
- Encourage people to report these crimes
- Build a sense of community in schools and across the region
- Encourage staff and students to collaborate toward eliminating hate-motivated incidents
- Reduce the stigma of reporting bias-related crimes and lowering barriers for those who want to inform authority figures.
Of the incidents reported to police in this category in 2020, Sgt. Ryan Smith said 42 per cent involved schools and school-aged youth.
The initiative was launched in collaboration with the HRPS’s Youth Advisory Council. One of the council's co-chairs perhaps best summed up the campaign's goal.
“It's a platform, really, for youth to foster dialogue about what we can do collectively to eliminate hate and support youth,” said co-chair Ethan Ruggiero.
“I call out to the youth within the community. We encourage you to take a short video of yourself using the #NoHateInHalton hashtag, which is really talking about why you need no hate in Halton.”
Those who want to know more about the campaign can visit the HRPS’s hate and bias-motivated crime webpage.
Hate crimes can be reported by calling 911 or the police non-emergency line at 905-825-4777, or contact Crime Stoppers.
The following additional resources are also available:
- Halton Regional Police Service Victim Services Unit: 905-825-4777, ext. 5239
- Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868
- R.O.C.K. Crisis Response: 905-878-9785
- Halton Multicultural Council (HMC Connections): 905-842-2486
- Thrive Counselling: 905-637-5256 or 905-845-3811.
“This police service will investigate any hate crime to the nth degree,” Police Chief Stephen Tanner said at the launch event. “We don't want anyone to suffer in silence or think they cannot come to your police service.”
