New Year's Eve Celebration, Nathan Phillips Square, Road closures

New Year's Eve Celebration, Nathan Phillips Square, Road closures

Friday, December 28, 2018 - 10:00 AM
Emergency Management & Public Order:  416-808-5046

On Monday, December 31, 2018, the City of Toronto will be hosting a New Year’s Eve celebration at Nathan Philips Square. The events start with a skating party at 8 p.m. until 10 p.m. Live performances are from 8 p.m. to midnight. The event will conclude with a pyrotechnic show from the towers at City Hall.

Road closures will be in effect from Monday, December 31, 2018 at 5 p.m. to Tuesday, January 1, 2019, at 2 a.m.

- Elizabeth Street closed between Foster Place to Hagerman Street
- Hagerman Street closed between Elizabeth Street to Bay Street
- Albert Street closed between James Street to Bay Street
- James Street closed between Queen Street West to Albert Street
- Bay Street closed between Dundas Street West to Richmond Street West
- Queen Street closed between Yonge Street to University Avenue
- York Street closed at Queen Street West

501 Queen Street streetcar and the 6 Bay Street bus will be diverted from the area.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area and consider alternate routes.

For more news, visit TPSnews.ca.

Katrina Arrogante, Corporate Communications, for Constable Susan Guadagnano, Emergencey Management and Public Order

Holiday On-Street Parking Enforcement

Holiday On-Street Parking Enforcement

Thursday, December 20, 2018 - 11:00 AM
Parking Enforcement:  416-808-6600

The Toronto Police Service Parking Enforcement Unit will not be enforcing the following on-street parking bylaws during the upcoming holidays.

Dates:

- Christmas Day on Tuesday, December 25, 2018
- Boxing Day on Wednesday, December 26, 2018
- New Year’s Day on Tuesday, January 1, 2018

Locations:

• Pay-and-Display/Metered Areas
• Rush-Hour Routes
• Posted signs indicating Monday to Fridayregulations

All other areas and parking offences will continue to be enforced.

For more news, visit TPSnews.ca.

Constable David Hopkinson, Corporate Communications, for Supervisor Brian Moniz, Parking Enforcement

There are no files attached to this release. 

Man wanted in Fraud investigations, Andrew Hainsworth, 40, Photograph released

Man wanted in Fraud investigations, Andrew Hainsworth, 40, Photograph released

Monday, December 10, 2018 - 11:25 AM
51 Division:  416-808-5100

The Toronto Police Service requests the public's assistance locating a man wanted in a number of ongoing Fraud investigations.

It is alleged that:

- the man has been using his employment position with a process server company to defraud a number of people

- he accepted money for services not rendered

Police are concerned there may be more victims.

Andrew Hainsworth, 40, of Toronto, is wanted for:

1. Four counts of Fraud Under
2. Contempt of Court

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-5100, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, online on our Facebook Leave a Tip page, or text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637). Download the free Crime Stoppers Mobile App on iTunes, Google Play or Blackberry App World.

For more news, visit TPSnews.ca.

Katrina Arrogante, Corporate Communications, for Constable Sean Imrie, 51 Division

man wanted in ongoing Fraud investigations, Andrew Hainsworth, 40, of Toronto

Joint Statement from the Toronto Police Services Board and the Toronto Police Service Regarding the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s Interim Report into the Inquiry Concerning Racial Discrimination and Racial Profiling of Black Persons by the Toronto Police Service

Joint Statement from the Toronto Police Services Board and the Toronto Police Service Regarding the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s Interim Report into the Inquiry Concerning Racial Discrimination and Racial Profiling of Black Persons by the Toronto Police Service

Monday, December 10, 2018 - 10:30 AM
Corporate Communications:  416-808-7100

The Toronto Police Services Board (the Board) and Toronto Police Service (the Service) have each had an opportunity to review the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s Interim Report. We understand that the report’s preliminary findings, as well as its recommendations, require a thoughtful and comprehensive response from us that builds on the hard work we have been doing already to confront issues of systemic bias.

Members of the Toronto Police Service are dedicated, professional and fair. They take pride in their role as officers of the law. They take pride in their service to our city. As Board Chair and Chief, we are equally proud of the courage and commitment shown by the women and men in uniform who work tirelessly to keep our city the best and safest place to be. We also recognize that the job of the police is a hard one.

We recognize that there are those within Toronto’s Black communities who feel that, because of the colour of their skin, the police, including when it comes to use of force, have at times, treated them differently. We understand that this has created a sense of distrust that has lasted generations. We – the Board and the Service – know that only by acknowledging these lived experiences can we continue to work with our community partners to achieve meaningful changes.

The Board and the Service acknowledge that no institution or organization, including the Toronto Police, is immune from overt and implicit bias. We have seen examples of other organizations, which are, by their nature, composed of people, dealing with the same challenges that we face. Nevertheless, we acknowledge that a unique obligation is required from those of us who are charged with upholding the law and protecting all of our city’s people. And, while we may be confronting these challenges with resolve today, we are committed to doing even better.

Some may raise questions about the approach, methodology and statistical basis of this report, and it is important that all of these issues be scrutinized to ensure the fullest and fairest analysis and accounting. In the meantime, this interim report offers five recommendations, three of which apply to the Board and the Service. We accept these recommendations, recognizing that one of them will require further study. Specifically, the Board will refer its existing Policy concerning data collection to its Anti-Racism Advisory Panel (ARAP) – comprised of Board members, community members, experts and Service members – and ask for recommendations to improve the Policy. This work will consider the legitimate concerns surrounding the impact of race-based data collection on interactions between police and members of Toronto’s communities, and look to collect this data in a manner that will strengthen our connection to the communities we serve.

It should also be noted that we did not suddenly arrive upon these issues. We have been working for several years to confront these challenges in a variety of ways and with a variety of partners. Indeed, our continued work will be shaped and informed by a wide number of steps already undertaken and underway.

Finally, we hope that this Interim Report is seen in its broader context, causing bigger questions to be asked and real solutions to be identified. Questions about poverty, social exclusion, inequality in our neighbourhoods and the root causes of crime and violence. Because once the police are involved, it is often after all other systems have failed. This is not to say that this explains even a perceived disproportionate use of force by police; but it does highlight the reality that once the police have been called, the incident is often one of crisis.

Our police service has a specific responsibility that we accept. We will continue to be open to exploring the overall approach to police use of force, as well as critically examining the specific cases where it has been employed. However, in order to find meaningful and lasting remedies, other institutions, organizations and levels of government will need to take this most important mandate on with us. We are ready, willing and actively doing the hard work that is required of us.

There is a fundamental principle that must always guide our thinking and our actions: bias is impossible to deny, but it must never be accepted as inevitable. The Board and the Service believe in that principle and it will guide us as we continue to build a city of mutual respect and trust that is safe for all.

For more news, visit TPSnews.ca.

Meaghan Gray, Corporate Communications

Homicide #92/2018, George Street and Gerrard Street East, Jeffrey Parker, 35, Man arrested, Tyler Reynolds, 22, Charged with Second-Degree Murder

Homicide #92/2018, George Street and Gerrard Street East, Jeffrey Parker, 35, Man arrested, Tyler Reynolds, 22, Charged with Second-Degree Murder

Friday, December 7, 2018 - 6:24 PM
Homicide:  416-808-7400

On Thursday, December 6, 2018, at 4:41 p.m., police responded to a call for a Stabbing in the area of George Street and Gerrard Street East.

Once on scene, officers located a man suffering from serious trauma. He was rushed to hospital, but later succumbed to his injuries.

The victim has been identified as Jeffrey Parker, 35, of Toronto.

Tyler Reynolds, 22, of Toronto, was arrested at the time of the incident. He has been charged with:

1. Second-Degree Murder

He is scheduled to appear in court at College Park, on Thursday, December 13, 2018, at 10 a.m., in room 505.

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, online on our Facebook Leave a Tip page, or text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637). Download the free Crime Stoppers Mobile App on iTunes, Google Play or Blackberry App World.

For more news, visit TPSnews.ca.

Constable Allyson Douglas-Cook, Corporate Communications, for Detective Sergeant Katherine Stephenson, Homicide

Public Safety Alert, Vehicle Warm Up Thefts

Public Safety Alert, Vehicle Warm Up Thefts

Monday, December 3, 2018 - 3:30 PM
42 Division:  416-808-4200

The Toronto Police Service is warning members of the public that the arrival of extreme cold temperatures will result in the theft of their vehicles if they are left unattended and warming up in driveways.

During periods of extreme cold weather, thieves will quickly enter and steal vehicles that are left alone and running in driveways.

The Toronto Police Service is strongly advising members of the public not to leave their vehicles unattended and running at any time.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-4200, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, online on our Facebook Leave a Tip page, or text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637). Download the free Crime Stoppers Mobile App on iTunes, Google Play or Blackberry App World.

For more news, visit TPSnews.ca.
Constable Caroline de Kloet, Corporate Communications, for A/Inspector Jim Gotell, 42 Division

Distraction Theft Alert, Woman wanted, Downtown core

Distraction Theft Alert, Woman wanted, Downtown core

Monday, December 3, 2018 - 12:00 PM
14 Division:  416-808-1400

The Toronto Police Service would like to make the public aware of a series of distraction theft investigations.

Over the past few weeks officers have responded to numerous calls for distraction thefts in the area bounded by College Street, Bathurst Street, Dundas Street West and Dufferin Street.

It is reported that:

- in all cases a 40-50 year-old woman approaches elderly women

- the victims have all been walking in the neighbourhood

- the suspect engages them in conversation

- she talks about religion, her sick mother or asks for directions

- she gives them a gift of a necklace that she places around their necks

- she removes the victim's jewelry in the process

She is described as white, with an olive complexion, 5'1", with a medium build and long dark hair. She has been seen getting out of a vehicle driven by another person, returning to the vehicle after the interaction and leaving.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-1400, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, online on our Facebook Leave a Tip page, or text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637). Download the free Crime Stoppers Mobile App on iTunes, Google Play or Blackberry App World.

For more news, visit TPSnews.ca.

Constable David Hopkinson, Corporate Communications, for Detective Constable Leena Patel-Asner, 14 Division