Find alternatives to calling the Toronto Police Service.
Typically, people call the police because they are experiencing or perceive an emergency and need immediate assistance. In order to provide the most effective alternatives to calling the police or 911, unless otherwise indicated, the resources included here are limited to those that offer immediate assistance through emergency or crisis services.
These resources may be obligated to call police in the case of an immediate risk of harm to the caller or another, child abuse, or abuse of a vulnerable adult. Where we know or suspect that a resource may work in cooperation with law enforcement or involve them beyond what is required by law, we acknowledge that in the listing.
These resources are not intended to cover all situations, only to provide the services described. If you are in danger of immediate harm and feel safe doing so, call 911.
Housing
Coming soon.
LGBTQ+
- The Redwood
- 24-hour, free, confidential crisis hotline for women and their children fleeing abuse. Provides secure housing with 24/7 video surveillance and alarmed entrance doors. Provides families with 3 meals a day, a care package upon intake, including hygiene necessities and bedding, and weekly child-care supplies. Offers trauma-informed, client-centered harm reduction to meet women “where they are at” in terms of substance use. 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusive. Serves women 16+.
- (416) 533-8538 (24/7)
- TTY: (416) 533-3736
- Text: (647) 370-8300
- https://www.theredwood.com/
Mental Health
- Canada Mental Health Association*
- ReachOut 24/7 Mobile Response Team
- (519) 433-2023
- Please note: CMHA will call for police support if staff deem it warranted.
- Gerstein Crisis Centre
- 24-hour, free, confidential, community-based crisis hotline for adults age 16+ who are dealing with mental health, concurrent, or substance use issues and are currently in crisis. Mobile crisis team, community-based crisis beds, short-term follow-up support, and referrals to health and social services.
- (416) 929-5200 (24/7)
- https://gersteincentre.org/
Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
- The Redwood
- 24-hour, free, confidential crisis hotline for women and their children fleeing abuse. Provides secure housing with 24/7 video surveillance and alarmed entrance doors. Provides families with 3 meals a day, a care package upon intake, including hygiene necessities and bedding, and weekly child-care supplies. Offers trauma-informed, client-centered harm reduction to meet women “where they are at” in terms of substance use. 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusive. Serves women 16+.
- (416) 533-8538 (24/7)
- TTY: (416) 533-3736
- Text: (647) 370-8300
- https://www.theredwood.com/
- Toronto Rape Crisis Center
- Operates a 24-hour, free, confidential hotline for anyone who has been raped, sexually assaulted or abused; incest survivors; survivors of childhood and adult sexual assault; family and/or friends. Grassroots, women-run collective, welcoming to LGBTQ2S. Will not call the police, hospitals or anyone else unless requested by caller.
- (416) 597-8808 (24/7)
- https://trccmwar.ca/
Youth
Please note, people answering these calls may be mandatory reporters, and required to make a report to CPS or law enforcement in certain situations. Learn about local mandatory reporter laws here.
Coming soon.
Elders
Coming soon.
Crime
Coming soon.
Substances
- Gerstein Crisis Centre
- 24-hour, free, confidential, community-based crisis hotline for adults age 16+ who are dealing with mental health, concurrent, or substance use issues and are currently in crisis. Mobile crisis team, community-based crisis beds, short-term follow-up support, and referrals to health and social services.
- (416) 929-5200 (24/7)
- https://gersteincentre.org/
Please consider using these alternatives to calling the Toronto Police Service or 911 when faced with a situation that calls for de-escalation and/or intervention.
We have tried to indicate where police or law enforcement may work with the alternative resources listed; please let us know if you have any concerns about these resources.
Reimagine public safety. Don’t call the police.