Windsor police have arrested a 31-year-old man following an investigation into hate-motivated harassment targeting members of the local Jewish community. The arrest was made early Thursday morning at a residence near the downtown core.
Investigation Details
The Windsor Police Service’s major crimes unit launched the investigation after receiving a report that two Jewish community organizations had received a series of unwanted phone calls between April 23 and May 5. According to police, the messages contained antisemitic and derogatory language and were repeatedly left by the same individual.
While investigators found no direct threats of violence, they determined that the tone, frequency, and content of the calls were harassing and deliberately targeted. The suspect now faces two counts of harassing communications.
Police Statement
Staff Sgt. Ted Novak emphasized the seriousness of such incidents in a news release. “The Windsor Police Service takes all reports of hate-motivated incidents seriously,” Novak said. “Targeting people or organizations because of their religion or identity causes real harm, not only to those directly affected, but to the wider community. This kind of conduct has no place in our community.”
Public Assistance Requested
Police are urging anyone with information to contact the major crimes unit at 519-255-6700, ext. 4830. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Windsor and Essex County Crime Stoppers at 519-258-8477 (TIPS) or online at catchcrooks.com.
Background on Hate Crimes Reporting
In 2024, the Windsor Police Service launched a website with an online portal for reporting hate crimes and hate-motivated incidents. Police clarified that a hate crime is a criminal act driven by hatred toward someone’s race, ethnicity, language, religion, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, or similar factors. A hate-motivated incident, which may not rise to the level of a crime, can include name-calling, graffiti, racial insults, or spreading hateful messages.
