Neighbourhood TAVIS Initiative Community Newsletter

Neighbourhood TAVIS Initiative
Community Newsletter
June 30, 2011
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The 2011 Neighbourhood TAVIS Initiative (NTI) commenced on June 13, as part of this initiative, sixty-four additional
police officers and three support staff are assigned to two different neighbourhoods to conduct patrols and work together
with the community – all in an effort to create sustainable, safe neighbourhoods.
The TAVIS officers will be focusing their efforts in the Weston-Mount Dennis (12 Division) and Eglinton East-Kennedy
Park (41 & 43 Divisions) neighbourhoods. These neighbourhoods were chosen using crime trend analysis, hotspot
occurrence mapping and community consultation. The neighbourhoods were identified because they are experiencing a
disproportionate level of criminal activity for their size.
TAVIS officers are walking and cycling throughout the area:
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intervening and preventing violence
introducing themselves to neighbourhood residents and business owners
participating in local activities and events
expanding current relationships and partnerships and creating new ones
providing the community with information about the TAVIS concept of policing
working with citizens, the community, and the City of Toronto to mobilize the community with the goal of creating a
safer neighbourhood
TAVIS Orientation
Although the TAVIS officers are a group of experienced and dedicated officers, it
was very important that they were provided with as much information as possible
prior to being assigned to their TAVIS duties.
During the week of June 13, the sixty-four officers
and three civilian support staff were provided three
days of TAVIS orientation. The orientation included
a warm welcome from Toronto Police’s Senior
Officers, presentations from TPS members,
community members, ProAction Cops & Kids and
various City of Toronto agencies. Lectures included topics such as: methods the officers
could use to resolve conflict and work towards building relationships with community
members, graffiti eradication and neighbourhood beautification to name a few.
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Weston-Mount Dennis TAVIS Initiative
12 Division NTI officers welcomed community members to a kickoff BBQ at Weston
Road and Little Avenue on Thursday June 16. The weather was superb, the hot dogs
and burgers were steaming hot and the water and pop was ice cold; a recipe for a
great afternoon! NTI officers, senior officers and community members all had an
excellent time. Blinky, TPS Mascot Pat Troll, an officer from the Mounted Unit and
representatives from radio station Z103.5 were all in attendance.
Officers chatted with numerous members of the public as officers
walked and biked in the patrol area. There was no shortage of
praise from members of the public who were excited to see a
dedicated police presence in their community. Officers met with
Toronto Housing officials to discuss drug and gang activity in their
neighbourhoods.
Officers were advised of numerous complaints of loitering,
prostitution, and drugs. Officers dealt with one of the business
complaints of loitering in front of a store. When asked to move
along, the group initially resisted. Officers were professional in
their conduct and explained the concerns of local businesses with
them. The business owners were pleased with the results.
Officers also took the time to attend numerous community events
where they established contact with members of the public who run the various organizations that are involved in
promoting the welfare of the community. These events included the St. John Evangelist Catholic School BBQ and the
7th Annual Neighbours Night Out BBQ. City TV participated in a ride-a-long with NTI officers to promote the initiative.
Team 1 officers attended a Weston Chapter Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meeting and explained the NTI to members in
attendance. The officers were well received and were invited to attend future meetings. Team 1 also spoke with a
former president of the Weston Business Improvement Area and several seniors who have noticed the increased police
presence and appreciated the hard work being done by the officers.
Officers attended Irving Tissue, a local business, with several members of 12 Division. Here, they met with staff of
Irving Tissue who provided 12 Division officers with information on their facility, community involvement, security
capabilities and a tour of their facility. Partnerships were forged with management and future meetings will be
arranged.
12 Division NTI officers spoke with over 2000 community members within the first two weeks of the initiative and close
to 70 city and community organizations.
ARRESTS:
Officers observed a male selling goods from the trunk of his
vehicle in the Weston Road and Lawrence Avenue area.
The officers investigated this male and found that he was
in possession of suspected counterfeit clothing. This
clothing included jeans, t-shirts, handbags, purses and
accessories from several high end clothing manufacturers;
Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Burberry and Diesel to name a few. The suspected
counterfeit clothing was seized from the male and brought to 12 Division for
further investigation. An estimated retail value of all of the property seized:
$80,000.
NTI officers in 12 Division investigated a male near Emmett Avenue and
located two stolen GPS units in his possession. Further investigation led to
the arrest of a second suspect. Both males, both 17 years of age, were
charged with possession of property obtained by crime.
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While speaking with a group of males near 15 Martha Eaton Way, one young male provided a false name to police. He
attempted to run away from police but was caught a short distance away where he resisted and struggled with arresting
officers. Through investigation it was determined the male was breaching his court imposed curfew. The 17-year old
male was charged with failing to comply with probation, obstructing police and assault police.
Eglinton East-Kennedy Park TAVIS Initiative
TAVIS officers from Team 4 performed general patrols in an effort to
familiarize themselves with their neighbourhoods.
Officers attended
several buildings on Eppleworth, 675 Kennedy Road, Gordonridge and
Gilder to hand out TAVIS flyers promoting the Eglinton East-Kennedy
Park NTI. Officers spoke with residents in the area regarding ongoing
problems and drug activity. Officers also enforced the Trespass to Property
Act at these locations.
The community was very receptive
and welcomed the extra patrols. The
patrols included walkthroughs of the
Eppleworth complex, 675 Kennedy
Road, 1340, 1350, 1360 Danforth
Road, Trudelle Street, 400 McCowan Road, 140 Adanac and Gordonridge. Officers
spent time at the Knob Hill plaza after receiving several complaints about drug
dealing and other criminal activity.
Officers attended Cedarbrae Collegiate and participated in the Heartbeatz
Basketball Tournament with youths from the community.
Officers patrolled neighbourhood areas and continued to speak with community
members and business owners. A local business owner commented that things
have been much quieter since the police started patrolling the area. He advised
that he does not have as many problems with disorderly people. In addition, team
beautification initiatives are well under way including addressing Municipal
Licensing issues, graffiti issues and repair issues in the Brimley/Eglinton area.
On June 23, officers attended the NTI kickoff community barbeque.
During the event, officers made contact with numerous community
members who were very pleased to speak with officers in such a
relaxed environment. Deputy Chief Kim Derry, Superintendent
McIlhone and Inspector Button from 43 Division, Superintendent
Campbell and Inspector Mackrell from 41 Division and members of
the TAVIS planning team were all in attendance. Despite the rainy
weather outside, the event was a hit with the attendees, with a
bouncy castle for the kids and great giveaways by radio station
Z103.5 inside the community centre.
On June 25, Team 2 officers attended Gordonridge Place complex and
spoke with community mentor Michael Opoku regarding the
implementation of a community beautification project. Michael
advised officers that the basketball court and equipment in the complex required restoration. Additionally, Michael
advised of the need for restoration of the basketball court in the adjoining city park, and abandoned tennis court located
adjacent to the complex.
In response to Michael's concerns, officers attended Rona Hardware located at Warden Avenue & Eglinton Avenue East,
to speak with the general manager, who was enthusiastic and willing to provide supplies such as paint and brushes to
assist with the neighbourhood initiative. Also, officers contacted 311 to inquire about graffiti removal services.
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Officers attended 20 & 30 Eppleworth Road and spoke with the principal and teachers of Corvette Junior Public School
with regards to the NTI and spent time with the school kids. Officers played football with the kids and arranged to play
an organized soccer game between the officers of Team 2 and the kids at a future date.
NTI officers assisted in a “Sound of Gunshots” call where a firearm was located near Kennedy Road and Eglinton
Avenue East. No arrests have been made at this point but the investigation is continuing. Several citizens commented
about the difference the police are already making in the NTI area.
41/43 Division NTI officers chatted with close to 2000 community members and over 140 local business employees in the
first two weeks of the initiative.
ARRESTS:
NTI officers were assisting plain clothes officers from 43 Division near Bellamy Road and Eglinton
Avenue East. Four males, ranging from 26 to 30 years in age, were caught dealing drugs and were
subsequently arrested and charged for trafficking marihuana and possession of proceeds of crime.
While patrolling the Knob Hill Plaza at Brimley Road and Eglinton Avenue East to promote the NTI to
business owners and local residents, officers were alerted to a male in the plaza who was arguing with a female near the
Tara Inn Pub. Further investigation revealed that the male was on probation and was not allowed to have any contact
with the female. The 28-year old male was arrested for breaching his probation.
Toronto Anti-Violence Rapid Response Team
Arrest – 12 Division
RRT officers investigated a male party parked in a car near 175 Scarlett Road. The officers observed what appeared to
be marihuana in plain view. The 29-year old male was placed under arrest for possession of marihuana. A further
search yielded a bag of marihuana as well as a digital scale, two cellular phones and a pager. About 60 grams of
marihuana was seized along with about $330 in cash.
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