A group of Toronto city councillors sent a letter to Mayor John Tory, asking if alternatives were considered before deciding to deploy more police on the TTC.
The letter sent Monday was signed by councillors Amber Morley, Gord Perks, Alejandra Bravo, Ausma Malik, Josh Matlow and Paula Fletcher.
The six councillors saythey learned of the decision through Tory’s live announcement, and were not notified or consulted on the decision beforehand.
“Recent tragedies have increased the urgency to ensure safety for transit riders and operators, who are understandably concerned; however, there are a range of different approaches to increasing safety and wellbeing on public transit and our communities,” the letter says.
This comes as the city is temporarily adding more than 50 security guards to the TTC, as well as 20 community safety ambassadors.
More than 80 police officers will be assigned to patrol TTC vehicles and stations on a daily basis, Toronto police Chief Myron Demkiw announced on Friday.
Tory addressed the letter on Monday evening, tweeting, “It’s disappointing that some councillors would rather play politics than work together on immediate and long-term solutions to violence and crime.”
Anecdotal data shows an estimated 30 to 50 per cent of TTC Special Constable interactions involve passengers who are experiencing homelessness, have a mental health challenge, are in crisis, or under the influence, according to the letter.
“Recent video footage shows officers waking a man who is sleeping on the TTC and not posing a risk to other transit riders. At a time when warming centres are often inaccessible, shelters are at capacity, and temperatures are below freezing, many are simply turning to the TTC as an only option for respite,” the letter says.
This comes as Toronto is set to face the coldest air in three years this week.
The six councillors inquired what alternatives were considered to increase safety on the TTC and respond to people in crisis, and asked how an increased presence will support passengers in need.
“How will TPS and the TTC ensure that additional officers dispatched to the TTC have the appropriate training to de-escalate non-violently when needed, and the ability to distinguish between individuals who require de-escalation and those who are simply seeking respite?”
The councillors refer to recent data on systemic discrimination from Toronto police which says Black Torontonians are 20 times more likely to be killed by a Toronto police officer than white residents.
They also question what the cost per day will be in deploying additional officers, and who will be footing the bill, as well as the duration of enhanced law enforcement on the TTC.
The councillors also question what impact this new cost will have on the TTC’s budget, which already faces a nine per cent cut to services in the proposed 2023 budget.
