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I would like to thank our residents for sharing their concerns regarding community safety and the need for additional police patrols in Willowdale. I understand and deeply appreciate the anxiety and frustration that our community members are feeling about the safety of our neighbourhoods. As your elected representative and a member of the Toronto Police Services Board, I want to assure you that I take these concerns seriously and that I am committed to working toward solutions that enhance public safety in our community.
Currently, the maximum portion of the police budget has been allocated to reduce Level 1 emergency response times. This decision was made to ensure that when urgent situations arise—such as violent crimes, accidents, or other critical emergencies—the police can respond as quickly as possible. As a result, there has been limited funding available for increasing the number of officers assigned to routine patrols, not just in Willowdale, but across the entire city. Furthermore, the number of protests across our city has increased since the Gaza War which has also impacted policing resources. The challenge of balancing resources between emergency response and community patrols is one that we are facing at a citywide level.
As a member of the Police Services Board, I have consistently advocated for adequate funding to ensure that our police service can grow in line with the population of our city. We need to increase the police-to-population ratio rather than allow it to shrink, which has been a concern in recent years due to budget constraints. I agree with the desire for visible policing in maintaining a sense of community safety. I have fought for measures to ensure that our neighbourhoods are properly patrolled and protected with the available resources. This included the implementation of the Yonge Street Foot Patrol, which has been a positive benefit in our community, one that is unique across our city.
I continue to push for a balanced approach that includes increased policing presence as it becomes available. We must bear in mind that the Toronto Police Service has unique responsibilities compared to other police services in Canada, which further complicates the task of allocating resources across the city. This also highlights why Toronto needs a new fiscal framework for the unique challenges we face. Some of these responsibilities include:
Toronto's Growth and Global Standing
As Canada's largest city and the fourth-largest in North America, Toronto is experiencing rapid growth. Ranked 23rd out of 270 on the 2024 World's Best Cities list, Toronto has more than 200 construction cranes currently active—more than 14 other major North American cities combined. This growth brings both opportunities and challenges, including increased demand for police services to ensure safety in a rapidly expanding urban environment.
High Volume of Events and Visitors
Toronto is home to over 2,000 events and protests each year, including major international sporting events, concerts, and festivals. As the home of the only Canadian MLB and NBA teams, the city regularly hosts large crowds, which requires significant police presence for security. Additionally, Toronto attracts over 27.5 million visitors annually, while 3.5 million people are either working or living in the city, with 800,000 daily commuters. The volume of activity in the city necessitates a high level of police preparedness and response.
Diplomatic and International Responsibilities
Toronto is home to 87 of Ontario’s 108 consular offices, making it a key diplomatic hub. This adds another layer of responsibility for the Toronto Police Service, which must provide security for diplomatic personnel and manage the complexities of international relations within the city.
Human Trafficking
Between 2011 and 2021, the Toronto Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) accounted for 22% of all reported human trafficking incidents in Canada. Addressing this issue requires significant police resources, including specialized units, ongoing investigations, and partnerships with other agencies. This is a major concern that places additional pressure on our police services.
Gun and Gang Activity
As a large urban center, Toronto also faces challenges related to gun violence and gang activity. While these issues are not unique to Toronto, the scale and impact of these problems require dedicated police resources to address, including both proactive policing and reactive measures to ensure public safety.
I also want to acknowledge that situations where residents are left feeling like they must choose between participating in neighbourhood programs or staying home in fear of becoming victims of crime is unacceptable. It is interesting to note that Toronto was ranked the world's third safest city for tourists by Forbes Advisor. I do worry about the mental health impact of people living in fear and wonder if there are other approaches to fostering a greater sense of safety.
I am working hard to ensure that the funding is in place to both enhance emergency response capabilities and provide adequate patrols across the city. This is not an easy issue to solve, but I remain committed to advocating for the safety and security of all Toronto residents.
Thank you for your continued engagement on this important issue. I would like to arrange a meeting between some members of our community and our local police division to see how we can further strengthen our collective work to increase community safety. Together, we can work toward a solution that ensures our communities remain safe, vibrant, and secure.