Riverdale is a Toronto neighbourhood that is located east of the Don River Valley. The boundaries of the Riverdale neighbourhood include Danforth Avenue in the north, Lake Shore Boulevard in the south, Jones Avenue in the east and the Don River Valley in the west. The neighbourhood of Leslieville is located just east of Riverdale. Riverdale is a very residential neighbourhood, but there are many independent, boutique and mainstream commercial shops in the area as well. There are also a number of parks in Riverdale. There are a number of small, distinct regions within Riverdale. The crime rates varies throughout the area. Riverdale crime rates are as follows:
Area BordersAverage Crime Rate
Don River, Danforth, Gerrard, Hampton Ave, Bain Ave, Pape Ave16.87 crimes against people per 100032.34 crimes against property per 1000
Danforth, Gerrard, Jones, Hampton, Bain, Pape12.27 crimes against people per 100041.48 crimes against property per 1000
Gerrard, Queen Street, Don Valley Parkway, Tiverton Avenue10.09 crimes against people per 100038.48 crimes against property per 1000
Gerrard, Queen, Tiverton, Jones8.81 crimes against people per 100038.36 crimes against property per 1000
Don Valley, Queen, Carlaw Avenue, Eastern Avenue18.31 crimes against people per 100040 crimes against property per 1000
Queen, Eastern, Carlaw, Leslie Street11.85 crimes against people per 100028.52 crimes against property per 1000
Eastern, Lake Shore, Don Valley Parkway, Leslie8.14 crimes against people per 100025.47 crimes against property per 1000
In October 2007, a man as shot and killed in Riverdale Park. From CityTV:
One of the incidents occurred just before 10pm at Riverdale Park on Broadview Ave. south of Danforth Ave. A man was shot in the shoulder near the Riverdale pool, and was taken to hospital in serious condition. He has since succumbed to his injuries in hospital. According to the SIU, which is now involved in the case, police were called to the park to probe an apparent robbery in progress. When they attempted to arrest two individuals one allegedly got involved in an altercation with officers which resulted in the fatal shooting.
Also in October 2007, a woman was threatened with sexual assault as she walked home at night in Riverdale. From the Toronto Star:
The unidentified man approached the 29-year-old victim from behind while she walked home in the area of Danforth and Langford Aves. around 2 a.m. The suspect threatened the victim and indicated that he was armed as he tried to direct her to a secluded area. The woman was able to break free and run away after struggling with the man, flagging down a passing motorist and police were contacted.
In January 2008, a bystander was shot and killed in a shootout in Riverdale near Gerrard Street and Broadview Avenue. Also from the Toronto Star:
An innocent bystander working at a grocery store was shot to death in an apparent shootout on a busy Riverdale street last night. Shoppers ducked for cover as bullets struck store windows and parked cars on Gerrard St. E., near Broadview Ave., around 6 p.m. “It appears a totally innocent bystander, for the second time in a week, has been hit by gunfire on a busy downtown street, and has lost his life,” said Toronto police chief Bill Blair, as he attended the scene late last night.
This incidents show that it is always incredibly important to be aware of what is taking place around you and to be alert at all times. In June 2011 a boy was stabbed near Riverdale Park. From CTV:
Toronto police said a 16-year-old boy is recovering after being stabbed near Riverdale Park on Friday night. Sgt. Andria Cowan said the boy was with a group of teenagers near Broadview Avenue and Tennis Crescent at about 11:30 p.m. on Friday when he was approached by a suspect and stabbed in the shoulder.
In February 2011, a man was stabbed in an attempted robbery at a Riverdale convenience store. The National Post has the details:
[T]he Kims question their choice: they have weathered four robberies in 2½ years since they took over Luke’s Variety, on Logan Avenue in Riverdale. “I knew life is tough, but not this tough,” Ms. Kim said Monday at Luke’s, tears streaming down her cheeks. She now believes Toronto is more dangerous than Korea. On Thursday at 9:30 p.m., Mr. Kim sat by the till at Luke’s, reading the paper and listening to the classical music that always plays softly here. His wife napped in the back. Hearing noise, she ran up front to find her husband battling two robbers, she says. One held a gun and the other, a knife; he stabbed Mr. Kim twice in the back. Mr. Kim chased them and wrote down their plate number. Police Friday recovered the car but have not found the men, a police spokeswoman said Monday.
It is always important to recognize that crime can occur at any time in any neighbourhood. By being aware of your surroundings and by protecting yourself and your property with alarm systems and security cameras, you can be ready if a crime takes place.