Councillors question mayor’s plan for TTC as 50 security guards deployed

Toronto is taking even more steps in its efforts to increase safety on public transit as a group of city councillors question the mayor’s plan to add police along the system.

The City of Toronto is temporarily adding more than 50 security guards along the TTC in addition to 20 community safety ambassadors who they say will work directly with people experiencing homelessness.

“There are many different and complex issues surrounding safety on the transit system, and in Toronto,” reads Monday’s release from the city. “As part of the medium- and longer-term strategy to prioritize these issues, the following services will go into effect immediately this week.”


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The city says the security guards being deployed have daily experience dealing with vulnerable people in crisis and have advanced training in mental health first aid, overdose prevention, and nonviolent crisis intervention.

The TTC is also in the process of ensuring all of its chief and mobile supervisors have de-escalation training to support station staff. The transit agency has updated its schedules to ensure there is an increased employee presence in hotspots in the system and during peak times.

The latest actions are in addition to the deployment of 80 Toronto police officers and more TTC special constables — announced last week in response to the recent spate of violence along the system.

Councillors questioning increased police on TTC

A group of six Toronto city councillors are asking whether or not other measures were considered before Mayor John Tory and Toronto’s police chief decided on the deployment of additional police on the TTC.

In a letter to the mayor’s office sent Monday afternoon, councillors Alejandra Bravo, Paula Fletcher, Ausma Malik, Josh Matlow, Amber Morley, and Gord Perks, question the cost of more police on the system. As well, the group is asking whether or not the mayor considered data on systemic discrimination, along with the potential impacts the increased enforcement could have on vulnerable residents..

“Recent tragedies have increased the urgency to ensure safety for transit riders and operators, who are understandably concerned,” the letter reads. “However, there are a range of different approaches to increasing safety and wellbeing on public transit and in our communities.”

The letter cites Toronto police data that suggests a disproportionate use of force against non-white minority groups. It also notes a recent video making the rounds on social media that show TTC special constables waking a man sleeping on the TTC.

“At a time when warming centres are often inaccessible, shelters are at capacity, and temperatures are below freezing, many are simply turning to the TTC as an only option for respite,” reads the letter.

Transit advocates have blamed the lack of available city shelter space as a crucial element for people experiencing homelessness congregating on TTC busses, streetcars and subways.

Since Friday, there have been four attacks on the TTC, including two robberies and two assaults. The incidents follow the announcement that the TTC would be deploying an additional 80 employees throughout the system each day as part of its response to violence.

The increase in TTC staff came on the heels of another announcement of more than 80 police officers who began patrolling the system last week.

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