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Police Meeting and Safety Update

Safety in our Neighbourhood – What can YOU do?

As DECA has evolved, we have taken our little group of neighbours and done some pretty amazing things.  In the meantime, some of our bread-and-butter activities have become defunct, and we need your help to get back on track.

We used to have a person or group of people whose focus was safety.  Some of the functions might include: connecting with the police to get updates when things happen, doing safety walks around the community, organizing self-defence classes, or [insert your great safety idea here].  If you are interested in helping us out, please send us an email.  There is lots of room for creativity, so if you have ideas or just genuine concern, we would really love to hear from you.

Update on 54 Division

This Thursday, April 25, 2013 the Toronto Police Services Board will have a public meeting at its Headquarters at 40 College Street, starting at 1:30 p.m. and 54 Division is on the agenda. (Click here to see for yourself – item #29)  Although this is my first time trying to read a Toronto Police Services Board agenda, it appears that this Thursday, the Board will consider this recommendation:

  • The Chief of Police prepare a report for the Board’s May 22, 2013 public meeting setting out the details of the CIOR project assessing whether to close 13 and 54 Divisions as well as setting out a proposed community consultation process for the Board’s consideration

(The recommendation is in response to a City Council motion)

For more information, see the letter below that we got from the Friends of 54 Division.

CCF19042013_00002If you need a refresher on what the options are for 54 Division, see our past post.

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Dressed up Doggies, Mrs. Darlings, and 54 Division

DOGGIE FUN

You know how on Saturday mornings, your dog can sense that you’re not going to work and will therefore give you their best sad eyes that scream “take me with you!”??

Well this Saturday, October 27 from 10:30 a.m. – noon, you get to be doggie parent extraordinaire!  Dress up your pooches and bring them to the Merrill Park Dog Association annual Howl-o-Ween festival! (Because what does a dog love more than dressing up in costume?)

Enjoy the festivities in the park and help raise money for Speaking of Dogs.

* Dog Costume Contest * Mummy Wrap * Poop Toss * Bobbing for Balls * Prizes!!! * Beverages and Snacks * And more…

(Rain Date: Sunday, October 28th)

Click here for more info, or if you might want to volunteer to help out!

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DECA’S 2nd POP UP SHOP: MRS. DARLING’S IMAGINARIUM 

Did you pop in to the pop up over the weekend?  Could you feel the buzz?  Well, next weekend, October 27 & 28, a new business will occupy the space at 1948 Danforth.  Yet again our neighbourhood has a chance to show landlords and businesses how willing we are to show up, shop local, and renew East Danforth. 

Many of you already know Mrs. Darling from the craft tent at the East Lynn Farmers’ Market, but just wait until you see what she can do with a whole store for two full days! See below for more details. Note that some activities require advance registration, so plan ahead to avoid disappointment!

Pop up What??

A one-weekend only, temporary studio where young creatives 4-14 can explore many mediums and material in workshop format. 20 participant to a class and 4 facilitators to help imagination became reality. Jewelry making, paper crafts, edible art, DIY, paper mache, fibre arts, group art, upcycling and re purposing – they will learn that they can create something beautiful from almost anything. There are also two drop in studio times where craft ideas and materials are ready to go, and families could mingle, create and play together.

Saturday, October 27, 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m

9am-12pm   Drop in. Animal masks, all ages. Duct tape wallets and flower accessories with Martina Rocks!  Best for ages 8+. ($10 for both activities) Group canvas in honour of Stella Bruner Methven. (Free)

1-2pm     Paper mache taxidermy, Narwhals. Best for ages 6+. (pre-registration required, click here). ($15)

2-3pm     Framed silhouettes (pre-registration required, click here). ($15)

3-4pm     Chanel inspired Peter Pan collar necklace and graffiti bracelets (pre-registration required, click here). Necklace best for ages 8+. ($15)

4-6pm     Wooden spoon puppets. Dramatic story time (pre-registration required, click here). ($15)

Sunday, October 28, 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m

9am-12pm  Drop in. Fantasy make overs! Fairies, princesses, pirates and super heroes oh my! Wear your favorite alter ego costume and make, new accessory and get a little hair and “make-up” done. ($10)

1-2pm    Glittered tee shirts (pre-registration required, click here). Best for ages 5+ ($15)

2-3pm    Mini monster and bunny stuffies (pre-registration required, click here).($15)

3-4pm    Candy sushi to eat and candy bracelets to wear (pre-registration required, click here). ($15)

4-6pm    Dress up and dramatic story time. Play and be silly while acting out a favorite children’s story (pre-registration required, click here). ($15)

Mrs. Darlings Imaginarium for Girls and Boys – A place to play with art and discover the art of play. To explore, make believe, and follow where ever their imaginations take them. Mrs. Darling encourages the inspired magic with drop in times, where children and their parents can mingle and create, with facilitators to guide and encourage, as well as classes for more elaborate projects and intimate instruction. 

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54 Gets Friendly on Facebook
As you  may know, there are ongoing discussions about possibly closing 54 Division. To keep updated about news and events, please join the new Friends of 54 Division facebook group.
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Police request assistance with attempted abduction investigation, Sammon/Greenwood area

From the Toronto Police:
Sex Crimes Unit
416-808-7474

The Toronto Police Service would like to make the public aware of an attempted abduction investigation.

It is reported that:

– on Wednesday, August 29, 2012 at 1:30 p.m., a 12-year-old girl left her home and went to a convenience store in the Sammon Avenue/Greenwood Avenue area

– while en route, she passed a parked white van with two men on board

– the male passenger exited the van and grabbed the girl’s arm

– the girl was able to escape the man’s grasp

– the man fled the scene

The male passenger is described as 30, brown, 5’8”, green eyes, white hair with a long white beard. He was last seen wearing a Taqiyah and robe.

The van is described as having rust on the rear-door hinges as well as over the wheel wells.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-7474, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637), or Leave A Tip on Facebook. Download the free Crime Stoppers Mobile App on iTunes, Google Play or Blackberry App World.

Constable Tony Vella, Corporate Communications, for Detective Constable Shannon Warcop, Sex Crimes Unit

http://www.torontopolice.on.ca/newsreleases/release.php?id=24385

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Lock up! Rash of bike thefts in this area

Please note that there have been a rash of bike thefts in the neighbourhood.  We are told that thieves have been going into back yards, sheds and garages to steal bikes, so please be sure to lock up!  Remember to report to police any suspicious activity that you might see.  The Toronto Police non-emergency number 416-808-2222.

By the way, did you know that you can report many crimes online?

For more information on safety and crime prevention, contact your local Division: 55 Division (south of Danforth), 54 Division (north of Danforth)

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Have your say! Golf range petition, 54 Division community consultation

Beach Fairway Golf Range needs your help to stay open

How many of us east-enders like to shoot balls or play mini golf at the Beach Fairway Golf Range, on Victoria Park south of Danforth? (If you haven’t visited, you’ve probably passed by numerous times and made a mental note to check it out soon!)

The owners lease the land from the City, and their lease will not be renewed to make way for housing and retail development.  The whole place is slated to close for good on October 12, 2012.

The owners are meeting with the Mayor on July 16, 2012, and have asked that surrounding neighbours sign a petition ASAP to show that we want to keep the golf range and mini putt!  Here are a few reasons why you should think about signing:

  • This is the only driving range in the City south of the 401 (other than the Docks, which is a different type of facility)
  • They have over 60,000 visits each year including 5700 kids (for mini golf) and 2500 seniors
  • They offer special rates to a variety of organizations that otherwise would not be able to offer golf to their members for rehabilitation and/or social outings.
  • They give free golf lessons for inner city kids

For more info or to offer support, click here to get to the webpage, and then click on “sign our online petition”.

Proposed Changes to 54 Division – Community Input Wanted

There are some proposed changes on the table that could really impact our police services.  Please see below for details about a community consultation with Councillor Janet Davis on July 31, 2012, and a survey that you can print and submit by email or in-person.

Survey: to be submitted before July 31, 2012

BUILDING THE FUTURE FACILITY OPTIONS FOR THE DELIVERY OF POLICE SERVICES

In 2012, in response to significant current and anticipated future fiscal pressures, the Chief’s Internal Organizational Review (CIOR) was established to “engage members of the Service to conduct reviews of operations, infrastructure, administration, business processes and organizational structure with the goal to better achieve our Service’s Mission while increasing public value by becoming more effective, efficient and economical”.

As part of the CIOR, the process the Service uses to determine its requirement for police facilities and the eventual retrofit and/or replacement of these facilities is being reviewed. The objective of this review is to establish a framework to identify and evaluate facility options that will balance the needs of the community and our Service members, all the while ensuring the most effective, efficient and economical delivery of police services in the long-term. This review is focusing on 13 Division and 54 Division as they are slated for replacement in the near-term capital budget.

In addition, any framework must ensure that the transition, regardless of the option recommended, is seamless and minimizes any short-term disruption. Maintaining, if not improving, the current level and quality of service to the community is a critical decision point; as such, it is not anticipated that overall front-line staffing would be reduced as a result.

Considering the needs of your community, what do you think are the three most important things to consider when making decisions about police facilities and/or divisional boundaries?

1.

2.

3.

Building new police stations in a new location within the division has been the traditional response to aging and/or inadequate police facilities; the Review Team has identified the following options for addressing the replacement of police stations. The identified options are as follows:

Option 1: Build a new station in a new location, while maintaining existing boundaries

Option 2: Close the existing station, realign divisional boundaries of surrounding divisions to incorporate all areas of the closed division, reassign officers to surrounding divisions Amalgamate two divisions (with or without boundary realignment) and build a new station

Option 3: Close the existing station, realign divisional boundaries of surrounding divisions to incorporate all areas of the closed division, reassign officers to surrounding divisions Amalgamate two divisions (with or without boundary realignment) and build a new station

Consider each of the above three options for addressing the replacement of police stations.

What do you think could be the most positive result of each option?

Option 1

Option 2

Option 3

What do you think could be the most negative result of each option?

Option 1

Option 2

Option 3

If you have any further comments, concerns or suggestions (e.g. a different option), please note them below.

Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey.

Please return your survey to: the front desk of 54 Division at 41 Cranfield Road, Toronto Or Electronically to Helen.Dixon(at)torontopolice.on.ca by July 31, 2012.