Toronto Takes Fundamental Shift in Community Safety Approach

TORONTO – NATIONAL NEWS – Toronto City Council has endorsed the next phase of its SafeTO: Community Safety and Well-Being Plan, reaffirming the city’s commitment to building safer communities through public health approaches and proactive social supports. Phase 2 of the plan will guide the city’s safety and well-being efforts from 2025 to 2027, with a sharpened focus on prevention, equity, and partnerships.

🔄 A Shift from Reaction to Prevention

SafeTO represents a fundamental shift in how Toronto approaches safety, moving away from crisis-driven emergency responses to a model based on prevention, health, and collaboration. The updated plan builds on the results of Phase 1 (2022–2024) and lays the groundwork for long-term, cross-sector partnerships to address the root causes of violence and vulnerability.

📌 Highlights of Phase 2 (2025–2027)

Expanded Crisis Response on Transit
The Toronto Community Crisis Service (TCCS), which currently responds to mental health calls at TTC stops and stations, will be empowered to work more closely with the TTC to expand its services, including responding to track-level incidents.

Tackling Gender-Based Violence
The City will continue developing a comprehensive response to gender-based and intimate partner violence, in collaboration with community agencies and the Toronto Police Service, ensuring survivors have better access to supports and protection.

Supporting Indigenous Justice
In partnership with Indigenous communities, Toronto will develop an implementation plan aligned with the Calls for Justice from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, reinforcing reconciliation through local action.

Youth Employment and Community Engagement
City staff have also been directed to review youth employment opportunities and evaluate options to revitalize Neighbourhood Watch programs, giving residents more tools to actively participate in building safer neighbourhoods.

📊 New Tools for Transparency and Accountability

To help the public stay informed, the 2025 update includes the launch of a Community Safety and Well-Being Dashboard, offering real-time data on the city’s safety initiatives. The dashboard is complemented by a new community report and a series of program videos—now live at toronto.ca/SafeTO.

🚀 SafeTO by the Numbers

Since its launch, SafeTO has delivered major accomplishments:

• Over 90% of the 26 original priority actions have been completed or are in progress.

• The TCCS has responded to more than 25,000 mental health crisis calls, with 78% resolved without police involvement.

• The Violence Prevention Toronto Office was established as a central hub for proactive interventions.

• The Community Crisis Response Program now operates seven days a week, offering rapid support in neighbourhoods experiencing traumatic events.

🏙 A Model for Urban Safety Across Canada

As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto continues to lead nationally in integrating public health, equity, and community engagement into safety planning. SafeTO’s evolution reflects growing national recognition that true public safety starts with prevention, mental health supports, and inclusive systems.

To learn more about SafeTO and explore the full implementation plan, visit:
👉 www.toronto.ca/SafeTO