Toronto police to increase presence before October 7, police chief says

Article content

Toronto police announced they would increase their presence in the city as the first anniversary of the start of the war between Israel and Hamas approaches, with several command posts in Jewish neighborhoods and near religious institutions as reports of hate crimes are skyrocketing.

Monday will mark the first anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, which sparked the ongoing war in Gaza.

Article content

Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw said more plainclothes and uniformed officers, as well as patrol cars, would be sent across the city to deal with the potential for increased protest activity and acts of violence amid growing tensions in the Middle East.

Demkiw says there will also be several command posts in Jewish neighborhoods and at various mosques across the city, and that police are working with partners and intelligence services to monitor potential threats.

He says police will also continue to provide security at protests while balancing the rights of assembly and expression.

Demkiw says in the year to date, 350 alleged hate crimes have been reported in Toronto – a 40 per cent increase since the same time last year – with the largest increase in alleged hate crimes against Jewish community, which are up 69 percent. .

The increased police presence in Toronto comes as York Region police announced a similar move, saying they would also deploy more officers and command posts near faith-based institutions, schools and community centers.

Our website is the place for breaking news, exclusive scoops, long reads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark nationalpost.com and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here.

Share this article on your social network