Toronto safety plan revealed for Jewish High Holy Days
· Toronto Sun
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Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw is promising an increased police presence to keep those celebrating the Jewish High Holy Days safe in light of “an alarming increase in hate-motivated incidents targeting the Jewish community in Toronto.”
He said that increased presence will continue into the anniversary of the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel.
“This is always an important time of year for the Jewish community,” said Demkiw at Toronto Police headquarters on Tuesday afternoon with Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow at his side.
“And I want the community to know that the Toronto community will have an increased police presence, both visible and covert, in strategic areas to help keep people safe.”
Rosh Hashanah, which signifies the new year in Judaism, is Sept. 11-13. Yom Kippur, the holiest and most solemn day of the year in Judaism, is Sept. 20-21.
“Jewish Torontonians should not need police presence to go to a synagogue or community centre or simply to live proudly Jewish in our city — but they do,” Chow said.
“In this moment of emboldened antisemitism, Jews, Jewish institutions, and even Jewish neighbourhoods are being targeted. It is despicable. Like the cowardly overnight shootings at North York synagogues. As your mayor, let me be clear: The city of Toronto stands with you against antisemitism.”
Chow goes on the defence
But Chow found herself having to defend her track record when it came supporting the city’s Jewish community including reportedly not taking part in an antisemitism mayoralty debate that was being attended by her closest rival, Councillor Brad Bradford.
“I will be launching my campaign later on,” Chow said. “I’m not here in a campaign capacity. We can talk about campaign activities later on and I will continue to engage with Jewish communities with dialogue on safety, on antisemitisim, on how we can stamp out hate together.”
Demkiw said Toronto Police officers will be embedded with the Jewish Community Network over the coming weeks and command posts will be deployed in strategic areas including one at Bathurst St. and Sheppard Ave.
He said that Task Force Guardian , consisting of officers with specialized tactical training and capabilities including access to patrol rifles, will also be out and about.
“Of course, our newly created counter-terrorism security unit continues to work in an integrated way with all of our partners including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police on relevant intelligence to keep people safe,” the chief said.
Demkiw said that since the Oct. 7, 2023 attack, Toronto Police have made 573 arrests and laid 1,398 charges in connection with demonstrations, protests and hate-motivate related offences.
He said that as part of Project Resolute, teams have spent almost 100,000 hours engaging with community members including at synagogues and schools.
“The message here is clear,” Demkiw said. “If you engage in criminal behaviour, we will find you, we will arrest you and we will lay charges against you.”