13 Halloween safety tips, Latest public safety video released

13 Halloween safety tips, Latest public safety video released

Friday, October 30, 2015 - 9:06 AM
Traffic Services:  416-808-1900

Halloween is lots of fun for kids, mostly because it involves getting dressed up and eating candy. There's more to Halloween than trick-or-treating and the Toronto Police Service would like to remind everyone of the need for safety this Halloween.

Some things you may not think of include costume safety, candy cautions, trick-or-treat best practices and driver safety. Below are some of the things about which the Toronto Police Service would like to remind everyone.

1) Put strips of reflective tape on the front and back of the costumes to make them more visible to drivers.

2) Your child's costume shouldn't drag on the ground — it's too easy to trip over. Shoes should be well-fitting and sturdy.

3) Don't allow children to carry sharp objects. Swords, knives, and any other accessories should be made of soft, flexible material.

4) If your child wears a mask, make sure it fits securely and has eyeholes large enough so that he or she can see.

5) Make sure that treat bags are light-colored for easy visibility. Decorate them with reflective tape (you can find it in hardware, bicycle, or sporting goods stores).

6) No child should go trick-or-treating alone. Always accompany your younger children; older children can go in groups.

7) Allow children to go trick-or-treating early but avoid the evening rush hour. It's harder for motorists to see clearly during twilight than at any other time of day.

8) Give children specific neighbourhood boundaries for trick-or-treating. Set a firm curfew for your children.

9) Remind children to walk on sidewalks and be cautious when crossing streets.

10) Tell children to only go to homes and neighbors they know and only to houses with lights on.

11) Tell children to turn down all invitations to enter homes. Period.

12) Tell children to avoid even normally friendly neighborhood dogs, who can be startled by kids they know who are dressed in unfamiliar costumes.

13) Drivers: remember children may be preoccupied with trick-or-treating and may not be paying attention to the rules of the road. Keep vehicle speeds at or below the posted limits, and scan the road for children attempting to cross streets mid-block.

Help the Toronto Police Service make this Halloween a safe and happy Halloween.

Watch our new Public Safety Awareness video:



Please download the Toronto Police Service Mobile App for iOS or Android.

For more news, visit TPSnews.ca.

Constable Jenifferjit Sidhu, Corporate Communications, for Constable Clint Stibbe, Traffic Services

Halloween on Church festival Saturday, October 31, 2015, 6:30 p.m., Road closures

Halloween on Church festival Saturday, October 31, 2015, 6:30 p.m., Road closures
Friday, October 30, 2015 - 6:29 AM
Public Safety - Special Events:  416-808-5049

On Saturday, October 31, 2015, the Church Wellesley Village BIA will host their annual "Halloween on Church" festival. The event is expected to draw more than 5,000 people.

Road closures will start on Saturday, October 31, 2015, at 6:30 p.m., and will be in effect until Sunday, November 1, 2015, at 3 a.m.

The road closure will be as follows:

- Church Street, from Gloucester Street to Alexander Street

- Wellesley Street East, from 150 metres east of Church Street to 150 metres west of Church Street

Note: Wellesley Street East will have a closure from Yonge Street to Jarvis Street to allow for local traffic only.

Motorists are advised to consider the road closure when planning their travels.

Please download the Toronto Police Service Mobile App for iOS or Android.

For more news, visit TPSnews.ca.

Constable Caroline de Kloet, Corporate Communications, for Constable Isabel Ethier, Public Safety - Special Events

Scary collision statistics for Halloween, Safety advice, Latest public safety video released

Friday, October 30, 2015 - 5:29 AM
Traffic Services:  416-808-1900

Halloween is lots of fun for kids, mostly because it involves getting dressed up and eating candy. There's more to Halloween than trick-or-treating, and the Toronto Police Service would like to remind everyone of the need for safety this Halloween.

On a daily basis, the City of Toronto has between 138 and 167 collisions per day but, on Halloween, the collision numbers climb to as many as 324 collisions per day. This represents, in some cases, a 115% increase in the daily average collision rate. The majority of these collisions (between 51 and 60 percent) occur between 12 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Car drivers are reminded they must be focused on the task of operating a motor vehicle safely. Pedestrians and cyclists need to ensure that all rules of the road are obeyed at all times to help minimize the chance of a collision occurring.

Drivers: remember children may be preoccupied with trick-or-treating and may not be paying attention to the rules of the road. Keep vehicle speeds at or below the posted limits, and scan the road for children attempting to cross streets mid-block.

Help the Toronto Police Service make this Halloween a safe and happy Halloween.

Traffic Services is dedicated to ensuring the safe and orderly movement of traffic within the City of Toronto.

Watch our new Public Safety Awareness video:  



Please download the Toronto Police Service Mobile App for iOS or Android.

For more news, visit TPSnews.ca.

Constable Jenifferjit Sidhu, Corporate Communications, for Constable Clint Stibbe, Traffic Services

Have you had contact with a police officer wearing a body-worn camera? We need your feedback

Thursday, October 29, 2015 - 1:21 PM
Community Safety Command:  416-808-7739

In May 2015, the Toronto Police Service began a pilot project on the use of body-worn cameras. Approximately 100 frontline officers are wearing the cameras while performing their regular duties. The project will conclude in March 2016.

The Service is asking for feedback from community members who have interacted with officers wearing body-worn cameras. This will provide a valuable perspective.

Between October 2015 and March 2016, survey packages will be mailed to randomly selected community members who have had contact with an officer wearing a body-worn camera. The package includes a one-page survey and a business reply envelope.

The feedback received through these surveys will greatly assist the Service with the evaluation process.

Please download the Toronto Police Service Mobile App for iOS or Android.

For more news, visit TPSnews.ca.

Constable Jeniffer Sidhu, Corporate Communications, for Staff Superintendent Tom Russell, Community Safety Command

Arrests in money-laundering investigation involving FBI and United States Postal Inspection Service, Ties to FBI case involving allegations of $5 billion fraud

Arrests in money-laundering investigation involving FBI and United States Postal Inspection Service, Ties to FBI case involving allegations of $5 billion fraud, Police believe there may be other victims

Thursday, October 22, 2015 - 10:41 AM
Financial Crimes:  416-808-7300

The Mass Marketing Section of the Toronto Police Service Financial Crimes Unit is a member of the Toronto Strategic Partnership against Cross-Border Fraud. This partnership represents a combined enforcement strategy, specializing in the investigation of mass marketing fraud in, or originating from within, the province of Ontario with cross-border implications.

During August 2014, members of the Mass Marketing Section started a fraud-related investigation, which revealed a "romance scam" involving a 63-year-old widow from Toronto. The romance scam occurred during the first half of 2014. The victim was allegedly defrauded of approximately $609,000.

Investigators worked with members of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and United States Postal Inspection Service. This joint investigation uncovered the identities of individuals allegedly responsible for the cross-border laundering of proceeds of crime with a criminal organization.

It is alleged that:

- proceeds were obtained via a variety of fraudulent schemes directed against the public

- victims were encouraged to wire funds to a various bank accounts

- the funds were laundered and disseminated back to those directing the fraudulent schemes

On October 7, 2015, members of the Financial Crimes Unit, assisted by Peel Regional Police, executed a search warrant. Ikechukwu Amadi, 34, of Mississagua, and Lineo Molefe, 31, of Toronto were arrested. They have been charged in relation to the "romance scam" with:

1. Laundering the Proceeds of Crime
2. Fraud Over $5000

It is further alleged that:

- Akohomen Ighedoise, 41, of Toronto, is a member of an organization known as The Black Axe or Neo-Black Movement of Africa. The Neo-Black Movement of Africa is a transnational organization with affiliates in major cities around the globe, known as “zones.”

- Akohomen Ighedoise was actively laundering the proceeds of crime with/for other Black Axe members for monetary benefit

He has been charged with:

1. Laundering the Proceeds of Crime
2. Fraud Over $5000
3. Participating in a Criminal Organization

It is alleged that:

- the Black Axe/Neo-Black Movement are attempting to intimidate and exert influence upon Nigerian diaspora within the Greater Toronto Area

Toronto Police is encouraging anyone with information to please contact police or Crime Stoppers.

Based upon their own investigation, with assistance from the Toronto Police Service, the FBI recently indicted six individuals in an alleged vast wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy, where conspirators attempted to defraud victims of more than $5 billion.

Akohomen Ighedoise and Ikechukwu Amadi are among those indicted. The United States intends to seek extradition of Akohomen Ighedoise and Ikechukwu Amadi upon the conclusion of their respective Canadian cases. Additional U.S. indictments are expected in the immediate future.

It is alleged that:

- Akohomen Ighedoise utilized the alias Martin Acker or Martins Acker Jr
- he claimed to be a representative of the United Nations
- this ruse was supported by the use of forged UN identification dating as far back as 2011.

Police believe there may be other victims.

The Toronto Police Service is appealing to anyone who may have had dealings with the man pictured or had dealings with a person using the name of Martin Acker.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Constable Mike Kelly at 416-808-7824., Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637). Download the free Crime Stoppers Mobile App on iTunes, Google Play or Blackberry App World.

Please download the Toronto Police Service Mobile App for iOS or Android.

For more news, visit TPSnews.ca.

Constable Jenifferjit Sidhu, Corporate Communications, for Detective Sergeant Ian Nichol, Financial Crimes

Akohomen Ighedoise, 41, arrested for participating in a criminal organization. 

 Police believe there may be other victims

Akohomen Ighedoise, 41, arrested for participating in a criminal organization. 

 Police believe there may be other victims

Akohomen Ighedoise, 41, arrested for participating in a criminal organization. 

 Police believe there may be other victims

Fatal collision #52/2015, Queen Street East at Berkeley Street

Fatal collision #52/2015, Queen Street East at Berkeley Street

Friday, October 16, 2015 - 8:31 AM
51 Division:  416-808-1900

On Tuesday, September 22, 2015, at 5:51 p.m., police responded to a call for a personal injury collision at Queen Street East at Berkeley Street.

It is reported that:

− a 34-year-old man was driving a 2011 Toyota Camry, westbound on Queen Street East, approaching Berkeley Street

− a 93-year-old man was operating a personal mobility scooter, southbound, on the west sidewalk of Berkeley Street

− as the man operating the scooter entered Queen Street West, he was struck by the westbound Toyota Camry

The 93-year-old man was taken to hospital. On Thursday, October 15, 2015, the man succumbed to his injuries in hospital.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-1900, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS(8477), online at www.222tips.com, text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637). Download the free Crime Stoppers Mobile App on iTunes, Google Play or Blackberry App World.

Please download the Toronto Police Service Mobile App for iOS or Android.

For more news, visit TPSnews.ca.

Constable Victor Kwong, Corporate Communications, for Constable Clint Stibbe, Traffic Services

Toronto Police Service and Cycle Toronto launch Get Lit! to educate cyclists to stay visible after dark

Monday, October 12, 2015 - 9:00 AM
Corporate Communications:  416-808-7100

As summer turns to fall, diminished daylight hours put a renewed emphasis on cyclists having proper lighting and reflective gear on their bicycles to help ensure their safety and visibility.

Cycle Toronto, in partnership with Toronto Police Service and McLeish Orlando, will set up along busy cycling commuter routes at dusk on three upcoming evenings in October and flag down unlit cyclists, educating them on the importance of staying visible and providing them with a free set for a safe ride home.

“Cycling is a year-round activity for many people across Toronto,” commented Jared Kolb, Executive Director of Cycle Toronto. “It gets darker earlier this month and we’ve got to watch out for one another out there. Safety is everyone’s responsibility, including the cycling community.”

The Ministry of Transportation has recently increased the set fine for improper lighting of a bicycle from $20 to $110. From half an hour before sunset to half an hour after sunrise, Ontarians must have a front white light and either a rear red reflector or rear red light on their bicycle. Ontarians riding bicycles also need to be lit when it’s dark due to rain, fog, or snow.

“Improving road safety and traffic flow is one of our goals in support of and commitment to safe communities and neighbourhoods” said Superintendent Gord Jones, Unit Commander of Traffic Services. “Traffic safety is the responsibility of everyone who uses our roadways, and active transportation continues to grow in the city every day. The safety of cyclists and other road users in the city of Toronto is very important to us. We are pleased to be in partnership with our colleagues at Cycle Toronto on this innovative and important campaign.”

Cycle Toronto will be set up on these dates at the following locations:

Tuesday, October 13, 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. - Boulton Drive Parkette

Tuesday, October 20, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. - Toronto Public Library at College and Shaw

Tuesday, October 27, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. - Prince Edward Viaduct Parkette

“Visibility is an important part of road safety, especially for cyclists,” said Patrick Brown, Partner at McLeish Orlando. “We are pleased to be part of an initiative that encourages cycling during all hours of the day.”

In addition to Toronto Police Service and McLeish Orlando, local bike shops Urbane Cyclist Worker’s Co-op and Sweet Pete’s Bike Shop are community supporters of Get Lit!

For more information, please contact Jared Kolb, Executive Director of Cycle Toronto at 416-644-7188.

Please download the Toronto Police Service Mobile App for iOS or Android.

For more news, visit TPSnews.ca.

Meaghan Gray, Corporate Communications

Free Autumn Yoga in Corktown

Heightened rush-hour route enforcement campaign, First day's results

Heightened rush-hour route enforcement campaign, First day's results

Tuesday, October 6, 2015 - 10:29 AM
Parking Enforcement:  416-808-6600

On Monday, October 5, 2015, the TPS announced it was launching a heightened rush-hour route enforcement campaign, with a focus on morning, mid-day and afternoon rush-hour routes in the downtown core.

See previous release.

The results for yesterday:
- 672 parking tags
- 10 Provincial Offence Notices
- 100 vehicles towed

The Toronto Police Service has continuously enforced the rush-hour routes within the City of Toronto. In January 2015, the Service provided additional resources and focus to tackle congestion and gridlock in the downtown core.

Since then, for rush-hour routes, the Service has issued 63,122 tickets and towed 12,681 vehicles. The TPS has also targeted habitual offenders, towing 11,310 vehicles with Ontario licence plates and 993 vehicles with out-of-province licence plates.

Please download the Toronto Police Service Mobile App for iOS or Android.

For more news, visit TPSnews.ca.

Constable Victor Kwong, Corporate Communications, for Brian Moniz, Parking Enforcement

6-Oct-2015

Lane reduction on Queen Street from Jarvis to Sherbourne for several months

Queen Street from Jarvis Street to Sherbourne Street will be reduced to one lane in each direction from October 7 to May 2016 while the city performs watermain replacement and road and sidewalk work. 

The City is taking steps to minimize disruption to the public during this closure by extending work hours for this project and by using enhanced signage to inform drivers of the lane reductions. 

Dundas Street, King Street, Richmond Street and Adelaide Street are possible alternative routes for drivers to consider in the area. Drivers and cyclists affected by this closure should consider options such as taking public transit. Pedestrian access to businesses and walkways will be maintained throughout the closure period. No parking will be available in the westbound lanes of Queen Street in the work zone. 

Source

Homicide #45/2014, Yusuf Ali, 18, Media advisory, Tuesday, October 6, 2015, 10:30 a.m., 180 Sackville Street, Community Room, News conference

Homicide #45/2014, Yusuf Ali, 18, Media advisory, Tuesday, October 6, 2015, 10:30 a.m., 180 Sackville Street, Community Room, News conference

Tuesday, October 6, 2015 - 4:59 AM
51 Division:  416-808-7400

On Tuesday, October 6, 2015, at 10:30 a.m., at 180 Sackville Street, in the Community Room, 51 Division Supterintendent Elizabeth Byrnes will update the media on the investigation into Homicide #45/2014.

On Monday, October 6, 2014, at 2:44 p.m., police responded to a call in the Shuter Street and Trefann Street area for the sound of gunshots.

Once on scene, police located a man in his late teens with obvious signs of injury. He was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries. He succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.

The victim was identified as Yusuf Ali, 18, of Toronto. The cause of death was multiple gunshot wounds.

The suspect is described as wearing all black with a hoodie. The suspect was last seen going northbound on Regent Street. Homicide investigators are reviewing security camera footage collected from the surrounding area.

Police are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or who has information, to contact investigators.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-7400, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637). Download the free Crime Stoppers Mobile App on iTunes, Google Play or Blackberry App World.

Please download the Toronto Police Service Mobile App for iOS or Android.

For more news, visit TPSnews.ca.

Constable Jenifferjit Sidhu, Corporate Communications, for Detective Tam Bui, Homicide

Heightened rush-hour route enforcement campaign, Monday, October 5, 2015, morning rush hour

Heightened rush-hour route enforcement campaign, Monday, October 5, 2015, morning rush hour

Sunday, October 4, 2015 - 6:14 PM
Parking Enforcement:  416-808-6600

The enforcement of the city’s rush-hour routes and other traffic and parking offences that contribute to congestion and gridlock continues to be a priority for the Toronto Police Service.

On Monday, October 5, 2015, the Service will be launching a heightened rush-hour route enforcement campaign, with a focus on morning, mid-day and afternoon rush-hour routes in the downtown core.

Officers will start the heightened campaign with enforcement of the morning rush-hour routes. Officers from the Parking Enforcement Unit and police officers from Traffic Services and downtown Divisional units will be concentrating on the downtown core to tackle gridlock by ticketing and towing vehicles obstructing rush-hour routes.

Members of the media are welcome to participate in ride-alongs with members from Parking Enforcement and Traffic Services. The contacts are, respectively, Brian Moniz at 416-808-1641 and Constable Clint Stibbe at 416-602-4547.

The Toronto Police Service has continuously enforced the rush-hour routes within the City of Toronto. In January 2015, the Service provided additional resources and focus to tackle congestion and gridlock in the downtown core.

Since then, for rush-hour routes, the Service has issued 61,830 tickets and towed 12,354 vehicles. The TPS has also targeted habitual offenders, towing 10.942 vehicles with Ontario licence plates and 964 vehicles with out-of-province licence plates.

Please download the Toronto Police Service Mobile App for iOS or Android.

For more news, visit TPSnews.ca.

Constable Victor Kwong, Corporate Communications, for Brian Moniz, Parking Enforcement

Nuit Blanche, Saturday, October 3, 2015 to Sunday, October 4, 2015, Road closures

Friday, October 2, 2015 - 5:59 AM
Public Safety - Special Events:  416-808-5076

Nuit Blanche will take place from sunset on Saturday, October 3, 2015 to sunrise on Sunday, October 4, 2015.

The following road closures will take place on Saturday, October 3, 2015, at 4 p.m.:

- Queen Street West: the entire roadway from Yonge Street to University Avenue
- College Street: East bound curb only, from University Avenue to Elizabeth Street
- Queen's Park - Bloor Street West to the northern separation of Queen's Park Crescent East and West
- Queen's Park Crescent east and west and will be closed between Queen's Park and College Street
- Bloor Street West: the eastbound curb lane closure 80m west of St. George Street to Queen's Park
- Queens Quay partial and full closures, from York Street to Parliament Street (includes multiple access plans for Redpath Sugar, George Brown and TTC).
- Bay Street will have partial and full closures, from Dundas Street West to Queens Quay. Most east and west intersections remain open to through traffic.

There are also numerous minor road closures which will affect traffic in the area.

TTC will also be affected :

- Queen streetcar will divert onto King Street, between Spadina Avenue and Church Street
In addition to the regular all-night Blue Night Network service, the TTC is extending all-night service to a portion of the subway:
- Line 1 (Yonge-University-Spadina subway) will run all night from Downsview to Finch, and
- Line 2 (Bloor-Danforth subway) will run all night from Kipling Avenue to Kennedy Road

Some surface routes will be diverted around event street closures.

Persons attending Nuit Blanche are encouraged to take public transit. GO Transit will also be providing extra late-night service.

Please download the Toronto Police Service Mobile App for iOS or Android.

For more news, visit TPSnews.ca.

Constable Jenifferjit Sidhu, Corporate Communications, for Constable Lesa Harvey, Special Events Planning

#Fraudchat & Cyber Security Awareness Month

Thursday, October 1, 2015, 1 p.m., #Fraudchat & Cyber Security Awareness Month

Thursday, October 1, 2015 - 9:19 AM
Financial Crimes:  416-808-7300

During October, the Toronto Police Service's Financial Crimes Unit and the Financial Services Commission of Ontario will be hosting a special #Fraudchat series for Cyber Security Awareness Month.

Cyber Security Awareness Month was created to educate internet users about online security and the simple steps they can take to protect themselves. The campaign’s goal is to bring together all levels of government, the public and private sectors, and the international community, to inform consumers about better practices and safeguards to combat cyber-crime.

About #Fraudchat
#Fraudchat is a bi-weekly Twitter chat that takes place on Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. EST on Twitter. Each #Fraudchat focuses on a different theme related to fraud prevention and includes special guests who are experts on the topic.

Launched in November 2012, this program seeks to educate and exchange ideas with the public about financial crimes and fraud. The moderators for this program are Detective Gail Regan (@reganfcu), Detective Constable Diane Kelly (@DKellyFCU), and Detective Natalie Hegarty (@HegartyFCU) of the TPS Financial Crimes Unit and members of the Financial Services Commission of Ontario, (@FSCOTweets).

Upcoming #Fraudchats in October 2015

- October 1, 2015 - Identity Theft
- October 15, 2015 - Online scams and phishing
- October 29, 2015 - Protecting yourself online

Today, at 1 p.m., we will be joined by special guest, the Canadian Bankers Association, to answer questions on cyber security. Members of the public can follow @CdnBankers using the hashtag #Fraudchat on twitter.

To follow #fraudchat, members of the public log on to Twitter from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. EST and follow the #Fraudchat hashtag. An application such as Tweetdeck, which allows users to separately view tweets containing this hashtag, is also helpful in following the chat.

Since November 2012, the Financial Crimes Unit has partnered with the Financial Service Commission of Ontario to educate the public about financial crimes and fraud through the use of social media.

Please download the Toronto Police Service Mobile App for iOS or Android.

For more news, visit TPSnews.ca.

Constable Victor Kwong, Corporate Communications, for Detective Gail Regan, Financial Crimes Unit