Keeping you safe in York Region
Our goal is to empower you with practical, easy-to-follow tips and programs that help protect you, your family, and your community. Explore our resources to learn how to reduce risks, respond confidently in uncertain situations, and stay informed about local safety updates.
Together, we can build a safer community—one informed decision at a time.
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Protests, Rallies and Demonstrations
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Hate Crime
Protect yourself
Personal safety tips
- Stay aware of your surroundings and limit distractions, especially when walking alone.
- Trust your instincts — if a situation feels unsafe, leave right away.
- Share your plans with someone you trust when going out, including where you’re headed and when you expect to return.
- Keep your phone charged and easily accessible in case you need help.
- Stick to well-lit, populated areas whenever possible.
- Avoid wearing headphones or keeping your attention fully on your phone in unfamiliar places.
- Walk with confidence and try to stay in groups when you can.
- Know where safe places are nearby, such as businesses or public buildings, if you need assistance.
- If you feel you’re being followed, go to a safe, public location and call police.
- Don’t hesitate to call emergency services if you are in immediate danger.
Preventing theft
Be vigilant in public places, and follow these tips to keep yourself safe.
Distraction theft
What is distraction theft?
Criminals committing distraction thefts often surprise or distract victims to steal items of value. These thieves often work in groups, and sometimes travel together in a car. These crimes usually occur in busy parking lots, front yards, driveways of homes or when victims are out for walks.
What do distraction thefts look like?
In some cases, a suspect may lure you to their vehicle asking for directions or approach you and begin touching you, grabbing your wrists or arms, or giving you a hug. They may offer you fake jewelry as a gift or a blessing and place it on you. In your surprise, you may not notice the thief steal valuables or your own jewelry from you. In other cases, a person may claim you have dropped something, or tell you that your car tire is flat. While you are checking out the issue, they may steal valuables from you or from inside your vehicle.
Protect yourself with these tips:
- Don’t let strangers into your personal space, or let them touch you
- Be cautious of random or unexpected encounters
- Don’t accept jewelry or gifts from strangers
- Don’t leave your purse, wallet or handbag unattended, in a shopping cart or in your car
- Keep your purse/handbag zippers and jacket pockets closed
- Don’t leave expensive purchases in your car—bring them directly home
Street-level robberies
Take these steps to protect yourself against street-level robberies:
- Be aware of your surroundings and conceal valuables like jewelry or cellphones while in public
- Keep zippers closed and pockets buttoned
- Be wary of strangers trying to get close to you. Protect your personal space
If you are the victim of a robbery:
- Cooperate and remember everything you can about the offender - be the best witness you can be
- Call 9-1-1
- York Regional Police has the ability to speak to you in any language and/or if you have a speech or hearing impairment
