Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw recently raised concerns about the significant increase in carjackings in the city, with a staggering 100% surge in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period last year.

Key points highlighted by Demkiw and statistics revealed include:
– A total of 68 carjackings since January 1, marking a 106% rise from the previous year.
– A concerning trend in car thefts involving violence, threats, and intimidation by armed suspects.
– Over 12,200 auto thefts reported in 2023, equivalent to 34 vehicles stolen daily or one every 40 minutes.

To address this issue, law enforcement has taken proactive measures such as:
– Establishment of the Provincial Carjacking Joint Task Force (PCJTF) in collaboration with the Ontario Provincial Police.
– Arrest of 121 suspects, laying 730 charges, and recovery of 157 stolen vehicles by the task force.

Furthermore, there has been an increase in break-and-enter incidents targeting car thefts this year. The rise follows recent advice from Toronto police on preventing auto theft-related home invasions. However, some advice like leaving key fobs near the front door has raised eyebrows due to its questionable logic.

“We are committed to not only disrupting but also arresting and holding accountable individuals involved in these crimes on a significant scale,” emphasized Demkiw.

In light of these challenges, some car owners have resorted to using Apple AirTags to track their vehicles. Despite tracking efforts, there have been instances where even tracked cars could not be recovered by authorities. The community continues to seek solutions to combat this alarming rise in auto thefts.