Community groups criticize WRPS’ handling of recent threat to 2SLGBTQ+ events

LGBTQ+ organizations cancelled events following a safety warning from police. But, as CTV’s Heather Senoran reports, there’s still a sense of fear in the commun

Community groups that support 2SLGBTQ+ people are speaking up after Waterloo Regional Police Service said they have closed an investigation into a threat targeting events and programs last week.

Spectrum Community Space, an organization that says it serves, affirms and supports the well-being of 2SLGBTQ+ people in Waterloo Region, had two events planned last Tuesday. Changes were made to those events after police warned the organization about “planned anti-2SLGBTQIA+ actions targeting local queer events and programs.”

“We switched those [events and programs] to virtual out of an abundance of caution, and then since then have been putting in extra security, extra measures to ensure the safety of everyone who comes to a Spectrum program,” said Spectrum’s executive director, Suzie Taka.

On Monday, police said the tip they received did not single out any specific organizations or individuals.

“Our investigators were able to identify three separate events that were being held and contacted the organizations to relay the information and to conduct safety planning,” said WRPS, in part, in an emailed statement to CTV News.

Police said the threat did mention an escalation to violence.

“It was very vague, which I think made it more ominous,” said Taka.

Police said the investigation has since closed due to a lack of evidence.

Spectrum wishes more could have been done.

“We didn’t hear from WRPS after the initial warning, anything, since we’ve had to reach out and ask for those answers. I do wonder what community safety looks like. To open up and notify without any follow up,” said Taka.

Taka said it’s been a tumultuous week dealing with the aftermath of the threat, adding that their resources are limited and they are doing their best to make the community feel safe.

“It still unleashed a lot of fear, rightfully so. And so, in terms of dealing with that collective fear and trying to rebuild a sense of community safety, that’s what us and other groups on the ground have been trying to do,” said Taka.

No Space for Hate KW

A new group, No Space for Hate KW, has been formed as a result of what happened. The group has their own thoughts on how they feel police handled the situation.

“So ultimately, we’re going to ask for some responsibility for the police to change their approach to these hate threats. It felt like they didn’t really do anything at all when they were told about it,” said Christine Wolfl, co-founder of No Space for Hate KW.

Police held an event Monday to talk to any impacted groups. Spectrum said they attended the event. No Space for Hate said they were told about it, but the notice came too late for them to attend.

“We didn’t feel like there was enough time or transparency for people or even ourselves to get our notes together and properly represent everyone in the community,” Wolfl said.

Police said they take any threat of potential violence or harm very seriously and investigate thoroughly to ensure community safety.

Police said if someone with new information about the threat comes forward, the investigation could be reopened.

On Monday night, Spectrum hosted an event called Pop-Up Pride Dance Party at Waterloo Town Square. Hundreds came out to participate. The goal of the event was to showcase the resiliency of the community and have fun in the face of the negative emotions that may have come up in the last week.

Meanwhile, No Space for Hate KW is hosting a walk on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. It will start at Kitchener’s Victoria Park and end at WRPS Central Division. The event is meant to raise awareness of the threat and how it was handled. The group said it is open to speaking with WRPS after the walk.

“This story isn’t just about Waterloo Region - it’s about how communities everywhere respond when fear spreads faster than safety. We’d love to connect to discuss this movement and what accountability and safety can really look like,” said the group, in a news release about Wednesday’s event.