Hate crimes on the rise in Waterloo Region, 46 reported in 2015
Posted Jun 14, 2017 05:59:55 PM.
Last Updated Jun 14, 2017 06:06:36 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
According to a new report by Statistics Canada, there were 51 reported hate crimes in Waterloo Region in 2015. However, Waterloo Regional Police tell 570 NEWS that the figure provide by the federal agency is off, because of duplicate investigations and boundary restrictions.
In 2014, there were 23 reported hate crimes in our region, which means the new number is an 81% increase. That’s a rate of about nine hate crimes per a population of 100,000 or just over twice the national average.
However, Chair of the Police Service Board Tom Galloway tells The Jennifer Campbell Show that although the numbers might seem like a lot, it’s not necessarily a bad thing. “Because we have a tremendous system in place to report these types of crimes and we’ve done an awful lot of work in the community over the past few years, more marginalized groups are feeling more comfortable with coming forward to us.”
Staff Sgt. Donna Mancuso who’s also WRPS’ inclusion and equity officer tells 570 NEWS that if you see something, say something. “We want people to come forward, and even if you think it’s nothing, it’s still better for us to know about it and investigate than not saying anything at all.”
According to the Statistic Canada’s report, Guelph Police reported no hate crimes in 2015, while London saw 20.
Regional Police also say the ballooning increase could be because Stats Canada categorizes graffiti as a hate crime. Something police say they’ve seen more of in recent years.
