Chief Saunders announces extension to Project Community Space, City-wide centralized team approach to gun and gang violence

Chief Saunders announces extension to Project Community Space, City-wide centralized team approach to gun and gang violence

Thursday, October 31, 2019 - 2:32 PM
Corporate Communications:  416-808-7100

Chief Mark Saunders is extending Project Community Space, an intelligence-led operational plan to address increased gun violence associated with street gang activity in Toronto. The Project was scheduled to end this week.

Project Community Space involves the deployment of frontline and specialized officers working under the direction of the Integrated Gun and Gang Task Force.

“I am extending Project Community Space until further notice while we work to address gun violence in the city. We are experiencing the highest number of shootings recorded to date in Toronto - a total of 237 this year - where someone has been injured or killed. We will keep the extended resources in place at this time,” said Chief Saunders.

Chief Saunders continued, “During the 11 weeks of the Project, Toronto police officers have made 391 arrests and laid 908 charges with firearm-related offences accounting for 26% of charges laid. Eleven percent of the charges were for violent offences including assault, robbery and sexual offences, and 9% of arrests were for outstanding warrants,” he continued.

“The Project allowed for our officers to conduct 1,857 bail compliance checks in the city,” the Chief continued.

The operational plan includes monitoring bail compliance, enhanced engagement with communities, and increasing police presence and visibility in areas frequently associated with street gangs and gun violence.

The Integrated Gun and Gang Task Force has hosted 12 of 31 planned gang prevention town halls, aimed at educating and supporting families who live in areas most affected by gang activity.

The Project was announced on August 14, 2019 and included $4.5 M in funding from all three levels of government. The extension will continue to draw on these original funds.

For more news, visit TPSnews.ca.

Allison MacNeil Sparkes, Corporate Communications, for Office of the Chief

2019 Scotiabank Waterfront Marathon, Road Closures, Saturday, October 19th and Sunday, October 20, 2019

2019 Scotiabank Waterfront Marathon, Road Closures, Saturday, October 19th and Sunday, October 20, 2019

Friday, October 18, 2019 - 10:15 AM
Public Safety - Major Events:  416-808-5048

On Sunday, October 20, 2019, Scotiabank Waterfront Marathon will be taking place in the city.

This event includes a full marathon, half marathon and a 5K run and walk. It will proceed regardless of weather conditions.

Start Times:

• Full Marathon:  8:45 a.m.
• Half Marathon: 8:45 a.m.
• 5K Run/Walk:  8 a.m.

Road closures begin Saturday, October 19, 2019 and continue through until Sunday, October 20, 2019.

Motorists are advised to avoid roads around the route and plan their journeys ahead of time as traffic will be impacted.

The following road closures will be in place:
Saturday, October 19, 2019 at 11 a.m to Sunday, October 20, 2019 at 8 p.m:
- Bay Street, full roadway, from Queen Street to Dundas Street West;
- Local access to The Express Parking Garage, the Marriott Hotel, the Eaton Centre loading docks, and the Bell Trinity Building on the east side of Bay Street (north of Albert Street) will be available from Dundas St. W.
- Hagerman Street, full roadway from Bay Street to Elizabeth Street
- Elizabeth Street, full roadway from Hagerman Street to Dundas Street West
- Albert Street, full roadway from Bay Street to James Street
- James Street, full road from Queen Street West to Albert Street

Sunday, October 20, 2019:
4 a.m. - 11 a.m.
- University Avenue, both northbound and southbound lanes will be fully closed from Dundas Street West to Front Street West
- Armoury Street is fully closed from Centre Avenue to University Avenue

4 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Bay Street is fully closed from Queen Street to Lakeshore Boulevard

5 a.m. - 1 p.m.
- Lakeshore Boulevard is fully closed (east and west) from Windermere Avenue to the Don Roadway

6 a.m. - 11 p.m.
- Queen Street is fully closed from Simcoe Street to Yonge Street
- Richmond Street is fully closed from Simcoe Street to Yonge Street
- Adelaide Street is fully closed from Simcoe Street to Yonge Street
- York Street is fully closed from Queen Street to Richmond Street

6 a.m. - 1 p.m.
- Queen Street is fully closed from University Avenue to Yonge Street
- Bay Street is fully closed from Lakeshore Boulevard to Queens Quay
Exceptions include the following locations:
- Eastbound curb lane on Lakeshore Boulevard West from Windermere Avenue to Oarsman Drive to allow access to the Boulevard Club, Royal Canadian Legion
- Access to HMCS York, Coronation Park, and Ontario Place shall be provided from Stadium Road

6 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
- Front St Eastbound lanes ONLY from Church Street to Jarvis Street
- Wellington Street from Church Street to York Street
- Richmond Street from Sheppard Street to Yonge Street
- Adelaide Street from Sheppard Street to Yonge Street
- Temperance Street from Sheppard Street to Yonge Street

7 a.m. - 1 p.m.
- Queens Quay West Eastbound lanes ONLY from Bay Street to Parliament Street

7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
- King Street West from York Street to Yonge Street

8 a.m. - 10 a.m.
- University Avenue/Queens Park Crescent from Dundas Street to Bloor Street

8 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.
- Bloor Street from St. George Street to Bay Street
- St. George Street from Bloor Street West to Harbord Street
- Harbord Street from St. George Street to Bathurst Street

8 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
- Bathurst Street from Harbord Street to Lake Shore Boulevard

8 a.m. – 11 a.m.
- Fort York Boulevard from Bathurst Street to Lake Shore Boulevard

8 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
- Cherry Street from Lakeshore Boulevard to Eastern Avenue

8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Mill Street from Cherry Street to Bayview Avenue
- Bayview Avenue from Mill Street to Rosedale Valley Road

8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
- Carlaw Avenue from Eastern Avenue to Lakeshore Boulevard East
- Lake Shore Boulevard East from Carlaw Avenue to Woodbine Avenue
- Queen Street from Woodbine Avenue to Beech Avenue

8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
- Eastern Avenue/Front from Carlaw Avenue to Jarvis Street

For more news, visit TPSnews.ca.

Connie Osborne, Corporate Communications, for Police Constable Brenda Normalm, Major Events

Arrests made in Romance Scam Fraud

Arrests made in Romance Scam Fraud

Friday, October 18, 2019 - 12:18 PM
Financial Crimes:  416-808-7300

In December 2018, the Financial Crimes Unit – Mass Marketing Section and members of the Toronto Strategic Partnership initiated an investigation into a romance-type fraud scam that targeted senior citizens across Canada.

It is alleged that:

- the victims began online relationships, corresponding with profiles on social media sites. After a period of time, once trust was established, the victims were persuaded to send money to various bank accounts.

- losses to victims identified so far in this case amount to approximately $250,000.

Investigators identified a number of suspects that opened and controlled the bank accounts set up to receive the funds generated from these romance frauds.

The bank accounts were a mix of legitimate and fraudulent accounts that were opened with counterfeit identification.

The Toronto Police executed four search warrants in September 2019 and arrested five individuals as part of the investigation.

Oluwaseun Oladokun, 35, of Toronto, was charged with:
1. Possession of Proceeds of Crime
2. Launder Proceeds of Crime

Olanrewaju Fagbemi, 36, of Toronto, was charged with:
1. Possession of Proceeds of Crime
2. Launder Proceeds of Crime

Martins Tabat, 33, of Toronto, was charged with:
1. Possession of Proceeds of Crime
2. Launder Proceeds of Crime

It is further alleged that:
- money was accessed from a bank account under the name of ‘George Bature’.
This account received money from victims of a romance scam fraud.

Freeman Toje, 45, of Toronto, was charged with:
1. Possession of Proceeds of Crime
2. Launder Proceeds of Crime
3. Possession of Counterfeit Mark
4. Possess Forged Passport

It is further alleged that:
- money was accessed from bank accounts under the names of ‘Foday Amos’ and ‘Jonathan Faith’

In addition, it is alleged that he was in possession of various fraudulent government identities under the names of:
- Jonathan Faith,
- Foday Amos,
- Sabia Smith,
- Scott Miller,
- Eric Menke,
- Aaron Tubman

Kaitlin Ainsworth, 24, of London, Ontario, was charged with:
1. Possession of Proceeds of Crime
2. Launder Proceeds of Crime

If you believe you have been a victim of a fraud scam and have sent money to someone online please contact the Financial Crimes Unit.

The public is asked to beware of internet romance frauds and are advised not to send money to unknown individuals on-line. For further information on romance scams and preventative strategies please review this link from Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

The Toronto Strategic Partnership is a collaboration of the Toronto Police Service, the
Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Competition Bureau of Canada, the Ontario Ministry of Government and Consumer Services, the Ontario Ministry of Finance, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. The Partnership facilitates information sharing amongst the partners to combat Mass Marketing frauds within Canada and the United States.

In addition to the above partners, Toronto Police Service would like to thank the following agencies for their assistance in this case: Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) and London Police Service.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-7300, 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 Detective Sergeant Anthony Coscarella, Financial Crimes Unit

Public Safety Scam call - Fraud

Public Safety Scam call - Fraud

Wednesday, October 16, 2019 - 5:02 PM
31 Division:  416-808-3107

Toronto Police would like to notify the public of a report of a scam caller pretending to be a police officer.

On Tuesday October 15, 2019 a woman attended the service’s 31 Division to report a fraud.

It is alleged that:

- On Monday, October 14, 2019 she received a phone call from an individual claiming to be from Canada Revenue Agency. He advised her that she was being investigated in relation to her SIN number being used for fraudulent activity

- She then received a phone call from 416-808-3100 (no name on display) from an individual who identified himself as a police officer

- The woman was advised that she could call 31 Division and check on his employment. She did not do this at the time

- The woman was told she needed to deposit money into a Bitcoin machine located in the area of Jane Street and Sheppard Ave W.

- It was agreed a $1000 payment would prevent a warrant from being issued for her arrest

- She attended the Bitcoin machine and deposited the money

Officers have recently been made aware of multiple related occurrences where police phone numbers are being used to commit similar frauds or people are pretending to be police officers

We would like to remind the public that police would never ask for forms of payment over the phone and do not accept Bitcoin currency.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-3107, 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.

Connie Osborne, Corporate Communications, for Detective Constable Jason Muto, Fraud Unit

Thanksgiving Holiday On-Street Parking Enforcement

Thanksgiving Holiday On-Street Parking Enforcement

Sunday, October 13, 2019 - 6:00 AM
Parking Enforcement:  416-808-1600

The Toronto Police Service Parking Enforcement Unit will not be enforcing the following on-street parking bylaws during the Thanksgiving public holiday on Monday, October 14, 2019:

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

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

For more news, visit TPSnews.ca.

Constable Alex Li, Corporate Communications, for Brian Moniz, Operations Supervisor, Parking Enforcement Unit

Public Safety Alert, Residential Break and Enter

Public Safety Alert, Residential Break and Enter

Monday, October 7, 2019 - 4:15 PM
42 Division:  416-808-4200

The Toronto Police Service would like to make the public aware of a recent increase in residential break and enters in the Warden Avenue and Finch Avenue East area.

It is reported:

- the suspects have been climbing onto low-hanging residential rooftops

- then gaining entry through second floor windows in the evening hours

The public is reminded to close and secure their windows, and to be aware of any suspicious vehicles or people in their neighborhoods.

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 Jenifferjit Sidhu, Corporate Communications, for Detective Gavin Jansz, 42 Division

Arrests made in Firearm Investigation, Vanderhoof Avenue and Brentcliffe Road, Two men face multiple charges

Arrests made in Firearm Investigation, Vanderhoof Avenue and Brentcliffe Road, Two men face multiple charges

Thursday, October 3, 2019 - 6:40 PM
51 Division:  416-808-5100

The Toronto Police Service would like to make the public aware of two arrests following a Firearms and Drug investigation, which led to a search warrant and seizure.

It is alleged that:

- in October, 2017, Derek Rwahwire, 25, was arrested and charged with firearm and drug offences. He was subsequently released on bail with specific conditions

- in December 2018 officers observed the accused breaching his house arrest condition and attempted to arrest him. He fled and evaded police

- in 2019 officers entered into an investigation into the criminal activities of Rwahwire

- on Tuesday, October 1, 2019, officers from the 51 Division's Major Crime Unit executed Controlled Drug and Substances Act search warrants on two condominiums and a vehicle.

- As a result Derek Rwahwire, 25, and another man Jevon Moore, 23, both of Toronto were located at one of the addresses in the Vanderhoof Avenue and Brentcliffe Road area

- both men were arrested

- a large quantity of narcotics, ammunition and a loaded firearm were seized subsequent to the arrest.

Derek Rwahwire has been charged with:

1) Careless Storage of a Firearm
2) Careless Storage of Ammunition
3) Possession of a Prohibited Firearm with ammo,
4) Possession of a Firearm Knowing Its Possession is Unauthorized
5) Occupy Motor Vehicle with Firearm
6) Careless Storage of a prohibited device (over capacity magazine)
7) Possess Restricted prohibited device Knowing no Authority (Over capacity Magazine),
8) Three counts of Careless Storage of Ammunition
9) Possession of a Firearm While Prohibited
10) Four counts of Possession for the purpose of trafficking schedule I
11) Possession of proceeds of crime
12) Failing to comply with recognizance.

Jevon Moore has been charged with:

1) Careless Storage of a Firearm
2) Careless Storage of Ammunition
3) Possession of a Prohibited Firearm with ammo
4) Possession of a Firearm Knowing Its Possession is Unauthorized
5) Occupy Motor Vehicle with Firearm
6) Careless Storage of a prohibited device (over capacity magazine)
7) Possess Restricted prohibited device Knowing no Authority
8) Three counts of Careless Storage of Ammunition
9) Possession of a Firearm While Prohibited

Both were scheduled to appear in court at on Wednesday, October 2, 2019, at Old City Hall, 10:00 a.m.

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.

Constable Allyson Douglas-Cook, Corporate Communications, for Detective Constable Abdullah Nuri, 51 Division

Nuit Blanche, Saturday, October 5, 2019 to Sunday, October 6, 2019 Road closures

Nuit Blanche, Saturday, October 5, 2019 to Sunday, October 6, 2019 Road closures

Thursday, October 3, 2019 - 10:00 AM
Public Safety - Major Events:  416-808-5048

On Saturday, October 5, 2019, the 12th annual Nuit Blanche will take place. This event will take place from sunset on Saturday, October 5, 2019 to sunrise on Sunday, October 6, 2019.

There will be road closures in areas on, or near, Nathan Phillips Square, Fort York, Yonge-Dundas Square, Bay Street and an installation in the area of the Scarborough Civic Centre/Scarborough Town Centre.

At 8 p.m. on Friday, October 4, 2019, the following road closures will come into effect:

- Bay Street between Albert Street and Richmond Street West
- Hagerman Street from Elizabeth Street to Bay Street
- Elizabeth Street from Foster Place to Hagerman Street
- Dundas Square Street from Yonge Street and O’Keefe Lane
- Fort York Boulevard between Gzowski Boulevard and Fleet Street
- Angelique Street between Fort York Boulevard and 60 metres south of Fort York Boulevard

At 8 a.m. on Saturday, October 5, 2019 the following road closures will come into effect:

- Bay Street between Dundas Street West and Adelaide Street
- Albert Street from Bay Street and James Street
- James Street closed between Bay Street and James Street
- James Street closed between Queen Street West and Albert Street
- Temperance Street from Bay Street to 30 metres west of Bay Street and 60 metres west of Yonge Street
- Borough Drive between Brian Harrison Way and Town Centre Court
- Borough Approach East between Borough Drive and Ellesmere Road
- Town Center Court closed between south of City of Toronto parking lot to Borough Drive
- Fort York between Iannuzzi Street and Gzowski Boulevard
- Gzowski Boulevard between Fleet Street and Fort York Boulevard
- Bastion Street between Sloping Sky Mews and Fort York Boulevard
- Grand Magazine Street between Bruyers Mews and Fort York Boulevard


All roads are expected to be reopened by approximately noon on Sunday, October 6, 2019.

TTC will be diverting a number of routes in the area.

Vehicles are advised to take alternative routes as there will be traffic delays in the area.

For more news, visit TPSnews.ca.

Constable Caroline de Kloet, Corporate Communications, for Constable Brenda Norrmalm, Emergency Management and Public Order - Major Events