Monday, December 31, 2012

Out of the Cold Programs for December 31 2012

Out of the Colds are open tonight for New Year's Eve:
  • 129 Peter St.:   Shelter & Referral Centre accepts walk-ins. 416-392-0090
  • 70 Silverbirch Ave.:  St. Aidan's  (Queen St. E & Silverbirch) 4 pm - 8 am
  • 156 6th St. (Islington/Birmingham at Lakeshore):  St. Margaret's Church, Men only,  2 pm - 8 am
  • 1099 Danforth Ave. at Donlands:  St. Brigid's Annex  4 pm - 8am
Thank you @AnneMarieBatten "Tell someone you see on street in need of this info"


New Year's Eve increased TPS RIDE spot check locations, If you drink, don't drive


News Release header

New Year's Eve increased TPS RIDE spot check locations, 
If you drink, don't drive

Broadcast time: 10:45
Monday, December 31, 2012
Traffic Services:  416-808-1900

Impaired driving remains the number-one criminal cause of death in Canada. In Ontario, approximately one-quarter of all road fatalities are alcohol-related.

For the 2013 New Year’s celebration, the Toronto Police Service will increase its efforts to protect all road users, with numerous RIDE programs targeting drinking drivers. The message, as always, is: “If you drink, don’t drive.” Choosing a responsible option to driving is the first step. You can do this by using public transit, designated drivers, taxis, or limousines or, better yet, make arrangements to stay overnight.

Walking while intoxicated can also be extremely dangerous. Pedestrians have been seriously injured or killed by walking, stumbling or falling into traffic.

If you are the host of a New Year’s Eve party, have non-alcoholic options available, set a designated drivers' plan by having cab company phone numbers ready and be prepared to stop your drinking guests from driving.

The best way to combat drinking and driving is for everyone to take an active role promoting road safety. If you see someone who appears to be, or you know is, driving, or about to drive impaired, call 9-1-1 immediately. You could save a life.



Constable Wendy Drummond, Corporate Communications, for Staff Sergeant Robb Knapper, Traffic Services


Sunday, December 30, 2012

Toy Drive Peaks

Toy drive peaks

20121224_51toys.jpgFor nearly 15 years, 51 Division has been collecting and distributing toys at Christmas time.

With the help of its Community Police Liaison Committee (CPLC) and chair Bob Kemp, the collection of toys has increased exponentially in the past few years.

“We have almost 400 toys, which is the most we have ever received,” Kemp said. “The response from the officers, local businesses and individuals in the community has been great.”

During a three-week period leading up to Dec. 20., the toys are dropped off under a Christmas tree in the front lobby of the Parliament St. station. They will be distributed to the Salvation Army and three neighbourhood charities.

“This is a wonderful thing and it’s all about putting smile on the faces of kids at this time of the year,” Kemp said.

Insp. Gary Meissner said the toy drive has had a lasting effect on recipients over the years.

“We have had such success that former recipients who have now matured and carried on with their own lives have been known to return over the years with their families to provide their own testimonials and give thanks to the CPLC members, officers and sponsors,” Meissner said.



Good Shepherd needs volunteers on Jan. 7th from 10am - 1pm

The Good Shepherd is in need of volunteers to help prepare 66 emergency beds with clean linens on Monday, January 7th (first day back to school) from 10am-1pm (this is flexible).  The school that was originally booked is unable to make it.

Any help is appreciated

If you would like to volunteer, please email adrienne@goodshepherd.ca

Location:  412 Queen Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M5A 1T3
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The Good Shepherd is well known on the streets of Toronto. It's a place to get a hot meal, clean clothes, a safe, clean bed for the night. It's a place to go when you need someone to listen, someone to help.

What makes Good Shepherd Ministries special? The answer is different for each person who walks through the door.

For some, Good Shepherd Ministries means Good Shepherd Centre, the place where you go when there's no money left for food. "There is always good food here and no one ever gets turned away," as one meal line guest said.

For others, Good Shepherd Ministries means transformation, a chance to start again through the Resettlement or DARE Programs. "You gave me hope and love at the time of my deepest despair," remembers one DARE client.

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Toronto’s annual Christmas Choral Concert

City of Toronto Media Relations has issued the following:
==========================================
News Release: December 19, 2012

Toronto’s annual Christmas Choral Concert

The City of Toronto invites the public to celebrate the season on Friday, December 21 with the annual Christmas Choral Celebration. This year's event will be hosted by Citytv's Gord Martineau and will include performances by All the King's Voices, Toronto Beaches Children's Chorus and Toronto Mass Choir. Musical accompaniment will be provided by the Tower Brass and organist James Bourne.

Date: Friday, December 21
Time: 11:30 a.m.
Location: Rotunda, Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen St. W.

The concert will last approximately one hour and will conclude with a visit from Santa. Sign language interpretation will be provided. More information is available at http://www.toronto.ca/choralconcert.htm

Toronto is Canada's largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.7 million people. Toronto's government is dedicated to delivering customer service excellence, creating a transparent and accountable government, reducing the size and cost of government and building a transportation city. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can dial 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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Media contact: RoseMarie DeMarco, Protocol, 416-392-8191, rdemarc@toronto.ca


Monday, December 17, 2012

TPS making holiday wishes come true

Toronto Police Service
News Release

Media advisory, Monday, December 17, 2012, 11 a.m., Fairview Mall, 1800 Sheppard Avenue East, Making holiday wishes come true

Monday, December 17, 2012 - 5:30 AM
33 Division:  416-808-3300

On Monday, December 17, 2012, at 11 a.m., at Fairview Mall, 1800 Sheppard Avenue East, on the lower level, the Toronto Police Service will be participating in an event that will afford eight kids the opportunity to go on a $987 shopping spree with TPS officers.

The boys and girls went through a selection process where they sent in letters outlining reasons why they would deserve such a holiday experience.

Police officers will accompany the kids throughout various stores in the mall. The idea is to build relationships between the local kids and police.

Participating in the ceremony will be Chief William Blair, Toronto Raptors Ambassador Jamaal Magloire, along with Fitzroy Gordon from G98.7 FM.

For more information, please contact Sergeant Rod Chung at 416-808-3335.



Constable Tony Vella, Corporate Communications, for Sergeant Rod Chung, 33 Division


Source


Friday, December 14, 2012

Man charged in robbery investigation

Toronto Police Service
News Release


Man charged in robbery investigation

Friday, December 14, 2012 - 2:05 PM
51 Division:  416-808-5100

On Thursday, December 13, 2012, police arrested a man in connection with a robbery investigation

It is alleged that:

- on Sunday, December 9, 2012, at 2:15 p.m., a 87-year-old man walked into the Queen Street East subway station, at Yonge Street
- the accused struck up a conversation with the man and followed him down the escalator
- when the man neared the bottom of the escalator, the accused kicked the man in the lower back and the man fell down six steps
- while the man was on the ground, the accused went through the man's pockets and stole a quantity of cash
- the accused then fled the scene

The victim was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Brian Davenport, 41, of Toronto, has been charged with:

1) Robbery

He was scheduled to appear in court at College Park, on Friday, December 14, 2012, room 501, at 10 a.m.


Constable Tony Vella, Corporate Communications, for Detective Geoffrey Hesse, 51 Division


Source

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Toronto Crime Stoppers and Insurance Brokers of Toronto Region team up with TPS Traffic Services for RIDE program spotcheck

Toronto Police Service
News Release


Media advisory,
Thursday, December 13, 2012, 8 p.m.,
Lower Simcoe Street/Front Street West area,
Toronto Crime Stoppers and Insurance Brokers of Toronto Region team up
with TPS Traffic Services for RIDE program spotcheck
Broadcast time: 12:42, Thursday, December 13, 2012
Corporate Communications:  416−808−7100

On Thursday, December 13, 2012, at 8 p.m., Toronto Crime Stoppers and the Insurance Brokers of Toronto Region are teaming up with TPS Traffic Services in a RIDE program spotcheck in the Lower Simcoe Street/Front Street West area.

This joint venture is dedicated to the elimination of impaired driving on our roads, in hopes of a safe holiday season for all. We remind everyone who will be driving throughout the season to be responsible, plan ahead and make smart choices about your transportation.

Use of transit, designated drivers and taxi services are all excellent options for safe transportation.
Police are also encouraging citizens to assist police in the war against impaired driving by calling 9−1−1 if they believe another driver is impaired.

The RIDE program is a year−long initiative that is enhanced during the festive season.

For further information, contact Lorne Simon at 416−560−6441.

Constable Tony Vella, Corporate Communications


Source



Monday, December 10, 2012

Holiday activities at Toronto's Market Gallery and Market Kitchen


City of Toronto Media Relations has issued the following:
==========================================

News Release:  December 10, 2012         

The City of Toronto's Market Gallery and Market Kitchen in the South St. Lawrence Market will hold a special holiday event on Saturday, December 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

"The St. Lawrence Market holds a very special place in the lives and traditions of all Torontonians," said Councillor Pam McConnell (Ward 28 Toronto Centre-Rosedale). "This event is an ideal opportunity for families to add the market to their holiday traditions while learning about historic foods and Toronto's history."

At the event, children, families and market shoppers will have an opportunity to decorate festive cupcakes, listen to storytelling and sample gingerbread cookies from heritage recipes. Event activities include:
• children's colouring sheets and cupcake decorating (10 a.m. to noon) • a talk on Victorian Christmas traditions describing crafts, food and the Christmas tree, with a reading of "Twas the Night Before Christmas" (noon to 1 p.m.) • traditional gingerbread demonstration and tasting using authentic historical recipes from the late 1700s and early 1800s (courtesy of the Fort York Historic Foodways Program) along with mulled-cider refreshments (courtesy of the St. Lawrence Market Tenants Association) running from 1 to 2 p.m.

All activities are free, but the Market Gallery has a pay-as-you-can policy for admission ($2 suggested). New to the gallery are souvenir items for purchase including shopping bags and reproductions of art from the City's collection, which are ideal for gift-giving.

The Market Gallery presents exhibitions on Toronto’s art, culture and history and offers educational programs for school groups and adults. The current exhibit, "The Water Czar: R. C. Harris Works for Toronto, 1912-45," highlights the career of a remarkable city builder responsible for major infrastructure projects including the R.C. Harris Water Filtration Plant.

The Market Gallery and Market Kitchen are located on the 2nd floor and West Mezzanine of the South St. Lawrence Market, 95 Front St. E. The gallery is open Tuesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. More information is available at http://www.toronto.ca/culture/the_market_gallery.htm.

Toronto is Canada's largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.7 million people. Toronto's government is dedicated to delivering customer service excellence, creating a transparent and accountable government, reducing the size and cost of government and building a transportation city. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can dial 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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Media contacts:
Shane Gerard, Communications Coordinator, 416-397-5711, sgerard@toronto.ca Pamela Wachna, Coordinator, Collections and Outreach, 416-392-7604, pwachna@toronto.ca

Friday, December 07, 2012

Look what you missed last night at Coffee With The Cops!

Some of our fabulous hosts:  PC Bottineau, PC Prosavich and PC Smith
Light and bright PC Ried and PC Anderson dish out the treats!


The Fabulous Coppertones belting out the holiday music!

Flashy PC Ried with PC Selvaggio and PC Anderson


PC Bottineau, Heroine Marks and PC Selvaggio strike a pose!

She has her dinner from @LoblawsCarlton, he has his!

PC Cornett and PC Compton handing out sweets at the checkout lines!
PC Tuciap (53D), PC Ward (52D) and PC Remy (D14) greet shoppers as they come for coffee and carols

Thursday, December 06, 2012

Lock It or Lose It Campaign Kickoff

Toronto Police Service
News Release



Media advisory, Friday, December 7, 2012, 10 a.m., Yorkdale Shopping Centre, 3401 Dufferin Street, In front of Famous Players/Indigo Mall Entrance, Lock it or Lose it kickoff

Thursday, December 6, 2012 - 5:00 AM
Corporate Communications:  416-808-7100

On Friday, December 7, 2012, at 10 a.m., at the Yorkdale Shopping Centre, 3401 Dufferin Street, in front of the Famous Players/Indigo entrance, A/Superintendent Gord Jones, Acting Unit Commander, Traffic Services, Toronto Police Service & Co-Chair of the OACP Traffic Committee along with Chief Superintendent Don Bell, Commander, Highway Safety Division, Ontario Provincial Police & Co-Chair of the OACP Traffic Committee, will kick off the annual Lock It or Lose It campaign.

Just in time for the holiday season, this campaign is a proactive crime prevention program that encourages motorists to take a few simple precautions to protect their vehicles and valuables from theft.

Media are invited to join police officers on a walk-through of the Yorkdale Shopping Centre parking lot as officers look for unsecured vehicles.

Police members from the OPP and municipal police services will be joined by corporate supporters at the launch of this provide-wide program.

Constable Wendy Drummond, Corporate Communications for Joe Couto, Director of Government Relations & Communications




Wednesday, December 05, 2012

The 2013 edition of the Safe Seniors Calendar is available for free at 51 Division

Seniors calendar available 

20121205_seniors_calendar.jpgAn ever-popular calendar highlighting safety issues for seniors is now available.

The 2013 edition of the Safe Seniors Calendar is available for free to thousands of seniors across Greater Toronto. The calendar features different safety messages each month, on topics including: medication tips, pedestrian safety, financial abuse, along with various health and safety issues. The calendar not only highlights statutory holidays, but Old Age Security/Canada Pension Plan payment dates as well.

The annual calendar, put together by the Bringing an Awareness of Senior Safety Issues to the Community (BASSIC) committee, is a partnership between police and fire services, government agencies and community groups. It is generously funded by the Co-operators Insurance Group.

“If you are an older adult, this is the perfect calendar for you,” said Const. Patricia Fleischmann, of the annual calendar filled with tips and contact information for government and community agencies.

“Elder abuse is known as the silent or hidden crime and, in order to effectively combat this, we need to break the silence surrounding this complex issue,” said Fleischmann, the Vulnerable Persons Co-ordinator at the Toronto Police Service Divisional Policing Support Unit.

This year, the calendar focuses on self-neglect of older adults in June, also proclaimed as Seniors’ Month for the past several years by the provincial government.

The latest edition is available, online, in both English and French – visit http://www.bassic.ca/safe-seniors-calendar.html for details.

The Safe Senior calendar can also be obtained at every fire hall, police station and public library in Toronto. It also features a comprehensive resource list with telephone and web addresses.




World Carolling Challenge - December 8

Volunteers needed to hand out LED candles, toques, song sheets and more!  Please contact Steve Abrams, founder of Mill Street Brewery at sabrams@millstreetbrewery.com to help with the World Carolling Challenge on Dec 8!


Tuesday, December 04, 2012

Public safety alert: Door-to-door solicitation over the holidays

Toronto Police Service
News Release


Public safety alert, Door-to-door solicitation over the holidays, Two men charged in fraud investigation

Tuesday, December 4, 2012 - 3:11 PM
33 Division:  416-808-3300

The Toronto Police Service would like to make the public aware of an arrest made in a door-to-door solicitation investigation.

It is alleged that:

- on Sunday, December 2, 2012, two men went door-to-door in a high-rise apartment complex within 33 Division
- they stated they were Police Cadets and were wearing Police Foundations Training shirts and also wore Toronto Police Service buttons
- they requested cash or toy donations for children

Two men, ages 22 and 21, both of Toronto, have been charged with Fraud Under.

They are scheduled to appear in court on Friday, January 18, 2012, 1000 Finch Avenue West, room 301, 1 p.m.

The Toronto Police Service would like the public to know that it does not conduct this type of door-to-door solicitation.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-3300, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637), or Leave A Tip on Facebook. Download the free Crime Stoppers Mobile App on iTunes, Google Play or Blackberry App World.



Monday, December 03, 2012

Stay aware during holiday rush


20121130_d52_holiday_thefts.jpgNever leave personal belongings unattended or visible in a parked car, always be aware of your surroundings, secure cell phones safely when not using them and carry wallets in jackets’ breast pockets.


Insp. Howie Page of 52 Division shared some of these useful safety tips at a press conference at police headquarters on Nov. 30 to kick-off a five-week holiday crime prevention campaign.



With the hustle and bustle of the season, distracted shoppers are easily vulnerable to crime.

“Be wary of con artists,” Page said.

“Some divert your attention through distraction tactics. The best advice I could give is follow your best instincts. If something does not seem right, avoid that person or location. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.”

The five-week prevention campaign will involve officers from 51 and 52 Division along with 15 auxiliary officers who will patrol Yonge St. in uniform during the festive season.

Page said the officers will engage retailers and shoppers and distribute crime prevention cards to alert shoppers how to safeguard themselves and their property.

He also praised the auxiliary members who volunteer their time during the holidays.

“These hardworking men and women volunteer their time to the Service and the City of Toronto,” he said.

“We are very pleased to have them play a vital role in this safety campaign. They often juggle full-time jobs with family commitments to come out and support the Toronto Police Service and work side-by-side with our police officers. These men and women often go unrecognized. I applaud them for devoting their time and energy in this initiative and other events throughout the years.”

The strong police presence along the Yonge St. corridor is the second part of a crime prevention strategy that started in late October.

“The first one took place with police in the downtown core concentrating their efforts detecting criminal activity along the Yonge St. corridor,” Page said.

“Plainclothes officers operating in a covert fashion, with the support of uniform officers within our Community Response Units, have been working 24/7 to proactively detect and engage those who support themselves by participating in crime. By operating in a covert manner, officers were able to get into back laneways, parking lots, parks and parkettes to observe and arrest those involved in criminal activity.”

As a result of the proactive approach, police conducted 511 investigations, made 62 arrests for criminal offences and charged 95 people under the highway traffic act, 33 people for liquor license act offences and 13 for breaking the trespass property act.

As part of the holiday safety campaign, 52 and 51 Division have partnered with Toronto Crime Stoppers on a short video demonstrating how crimes are committed in a short space of time.

“We want to ensure that everyone coming into the downtown core has a safe experience and feel safe,” Page said.