“We are being asked to take the police, the city government, on trust. “The public is entitled to know and be part of a discussion of the most effective way to make our city and all its programs, such as public transit, safe,” he said. Some observers argue, however, that police, the TTC and the city need to make clear just how the measure has been working, and whether it has made the system safer.Īlok Mukherjee, a former chair of the Toronto police services board, said transparency around the increased police presence on transit is essential. The current costs of the police enhancement are approximately $1.5 million per month and are being covered by the service’s overtime budget, said Toronto police spokeswoman Stephanie Sayer, who said the measure was “ongoing.” That came after a series of violent cases on the TTC, including stabbings, BB gun shootings and an alleged swarming.Īt a budget meeting last month, city manager Paul Johnson told councillors that police wouldn’t be able to afford the increased presence past the end of winter unless additional funding was considered. Police announced in late January that more than 80 officers would be at Toronto Transit Commission locations to enhance public safety.

Toronto police have been patrolling parts of the city’s transit system in increased numbers for more than a month but critics say there’s little information on the effectiveness on the move and it’s unclear how long the costly measure will continue.

Gta police patrol