Public Safety Alert, Elevator safety

Toronto Police Service News Release

Public Safety Alert, Elevator safety

Friday, May 10, 2013 - 8:23 AM
23 Division:  416-808-2300

The Toronto Police Service would like to make the public aware of elevator safety and potential for damage to elevators city-wide.

It is alleged that:

- an elevator repair service was called to an apartment building
- the accused attended the building as an employee/maintenance repair worker of an elevator company, but was not assigned to the repair for service call by the elevator company 
- he was given access to the elevator room and altered the operating functions of two elevators in the building

A 57-year-old man, of Toronto, has been charged with:

1. Mischief Over
2. Mischief Interfere with Property

The name of the accused is not being released as this investigation and other similar incidents are still being investigated.

Vandalism of elevators create a significant public-safety concern.

The following are things that people should be aware of:

- remain alert to people watching the operation of the elevators in a building for no reason
- ask people to identify themselves properly before allowing them access to your building
- check for proper identification, including company-specific identification of people asking for access to the building
- verify with your service provider the name, and the identification provided to the service person dispatched to your location
- do not give access to any elevator machine room, control space or similar area used to house or hold control apparatus or other machinery unless you have called for service, checked the person's identification, verified their documentation with the service provider and are comfortable they represent all parties involved properly

What to watch for:

- people trying to force the elevator doors open from the hallway
- people prying or forcing the buttons on the operating panels inside the elevators or outside the elevators
- people riding the elevators with an assortment of tools trying to gain access to the elevator roof or ceilings
- people riding the elevators with materials such as spray paint, aerosol cans, wire cutters, hammers 

The Toronto Police Service is asking the public to report any such issues to the proper building management and/or police at 416-808-2300, 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.

Constable Wendy Drummond, Corporate Communications, for Detective Kevin Sedore, 23 Division