Awareness, Reporting, We are Here – Hate Incidents

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, May 12, 2020    1:22pm 

(Ottawa) – Since the Global Pandemic has emerged, we have been very concerned and aware of rising racism, xenophobia, discrimination, hate incidents and crimes, in particular targeting our Asian communities globally and here in Canada.  We are aware of how unsettling and how much fear this garners with our local communities. 

We want you to know that our city partners, Ottawa Public Health, City of Ottawa and The Ottawa Police stand with you, you are not alone and we will not tolerate this hate.  We encourage all resident of Ottawa to be vigilant and to alert the authorities when you see or hear something.  The Ottawa Police Service takes these incidents very seriously and they will be investigated to the fullest extent.  Hate in any form, will not be tolerated here in Ottawa.

Most recently here in Ottawa, between April 28th and May 1st, 2020, there were 2 hate motivated incidents in the area of Viewmount Drive and Four Seasons Drive.  The Ottawa Police is currently investigating those incidents.  Both incidents involved a grey, newer model, Hyundai Elantra.  The vehicle and its occupants approached pedestrians of East Asian descent and yelled racial slurs, obscenities and swore at them. In both incidents witnesses describe occupants in the vehicle as an older white male and an older white female.

“We know that hate motivated crimes are often under-reported,” said David Snoddy, Director - Equity, Diversity & Inclusion. “We want people to know that we take such incidents seriously and we are here to help.”

In partnership with the community, the Ottawa Police, Ottawa Public Health and the City of Ottawa will make every effort to educate, encourage reporting, and when necessary pursue investigation. A community poster in English, French and simplified Chinese to urge reporting is now available. Reporting hate-motivated incidents is an important step in stopping the cycle of hatred and preventing others from being victimized. 

If something similar happened to you or someone you know, you are encouraged to report it. Investigators are looking to speak with anyone who may have witnessed these incidents or who has information about the vehicle and occupants. 

Anyone with information is asked to visit OttawaPolice.ca or call Detective Ali Toghrol of the Ottawa Police Service Hate Crime Unit at 613-236-1222, ext. 5453. Anonymous tips can be submitted by Calling Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 or at crimestoppers.ca. 

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CONTACT:

Media Relations Section

Tel: 613-236-1222, ext. 5366