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The GayYorkRegion logo: A symbolic map of the region using rainbow colours to represent the nine municipalities of Aurora, East Gwillimbury, Georgina, King, Markham, Newmarket, Richmond Hill, Vaughan and Whitchurch-Stouffville
Your local community connection.
Information : Hate Crime Reporting
Victim Of Harassment or Hate Crime?
Many people presume that York Regional Police might not be particularly gay friendly, but nothing could be further from the truth. In reality they have been incredibly committed to local LGBT affairs and extemely accomodating over the past decade.
This stems from the appointment of Armand La Barge, as York Region's Chief of Police, in 2002. Shortly after he took up office, he created a new department called the 'Culture and Diversity Resources Bureau' which reports directly to the Chief. Additionally, since that time, a York Regional 'Police / Community Advisory Council' (PCAC), has met with the Chief bi-monthly to promote harmony and understanding between York Regional Police and the communities they serve. Both of these initiatives continue to be strongly supported by Chief Eric Jolliffe, the current Chief of Police in York Region. These key developments demonstrate the commitment of York Regional Police to the belief that they have an essential role to play in helping build safe communities that are fully accepting of diversity. A representative of GayYorkRegion.com, who is also involved with several other local LGBT organizations and initiatives, meets regularly with officers of the Culture and Diversity Resources Bureau and is also a member of the Police / Community Advisory Council. This ensures ongoing dialogue and consideration to issues of specific importance to our region's LGBT residents.
If you have been harassed, assaulted or you are the victim of any other crime resulting from your sexuality, or perceived sexuality, we stongly recommend that you report it to York Regional Police.
  • Theft, damage to property and identity theft incidents can be reported online.
  • Hate incidents can be reported via the hate crime hotline on 1-877-354-HATE (4283) or by email to: hatecrime@yrp.ca
  • All types of crime can be reported by calling York Regional Police toll-free on 1866-8POLICE. Please be sure to identify the crime as a hate crime, if you believe it is.
If you would prefer to deal directly with the Diversity and Cultural Resources Bureau, please contact:
  • Sgt. Ricky Veerappan #545 (905)830-0303 ext. 6089 or
  • Detective Brett Kemp #1058 (905)830-0303 ext. 7797
Or, if you would like to report a crime whilst remaining anonymous, you can contact York Region Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. You can also submit a tip online at www.1800222tips.com. Crime Stoppers takes information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You never have to identify yourself or testify in court. Calls are not recorded and no one involved with Crime Stoppers knows the identity of the callers. Crime Stoppers does not have call display.
If you are not comfortable about reporting an incident to the police, or you are unsure about how to deal with a particular situation, you can obtain advice by calling the York Region LGBT Support Line on 1-888-YORKLGBT, or by writing to us confidentially at GayYorkRegion.com.
Lastly, if you would like to suggest new initiatives that would enable the police to better serve the needs of our community, comment on your own experiences with York Regional Police, or inform us of specific community safety concerns that you may have, please write to us. The information you provide will enable us to better represent your needs in our ongoing dialogue with York Regional Police.
Essential Advice
If you are a victim of homophobic bullying or abuse, you must report it.
Please read this page to find out why and how.
Where To Get Help
In York Region:
  • Hate Crime Hotline
    1-877-354-HATE
    (877-354-4283)
  • Police Non-Emergency
    1-866-8POLICE
    (866-876-5423)
  • LGBT Support Line
    1-888-YORKLGBT
    (888-967-5542)
  • GayYorkRegion.com
    1-888-905-LGBT
    (888-905-5428)
In Toronto:
  • Hate Crime Hotline
    1-416-808-3500
  • Police Non-Emergency
    1-416-808-2222
Anywhere: