Video shows ‘chaotic scene’ at Yonge & Dundas as fireworks, cars take over intersection

Some downtown Toronto residents are dismayed that more wasn’t done by police to shut down a chaotic scene at Yonge and Dundas streets that began late Thursday night and stretched into the early morning hours.

CityNews has received several viewer tips and others have taken to social media to complain after the intersection in the heart of downtown Toronto was taken over by revelers who were captured on video setting off fireworks and converging in vehicles for several hours.

The start of Diwali, the South Asian festival of lights, coincided with Halloween on Thursday night. So far police have not confirmed if the fireworks were part of Diwali celebrations.

One witness wrote CityNews, describing a “chaotic scene” that went on unchecked for hours.

“For two hours, car engines revving, fireworks being launched from cars, at least 400 people just walking on Yonge Street in the middle of these cars,” he said. “Such a dangerous situation.”

He said the situation went on for hours before three police cars arrived and officers began dispersing the crowd.

“They only seemed to be interested in dispersing the crowds, letting these car owners go without arrest,” he added. “How is this occurring in the heart of our city centre, without applying the laws to discourage this behaviour? Is the Toronto City Bylaws not applied? Are there no motorist laws being broken?”

In a follow-up email, the witness, who requested anonymity, said loud gatherings are a common occurrence in the area, especially among car enthusiasts who he says rev their engines “for fun” into the early morning hours.

“Living in this area is a choice, and I recognize it’s not the quietest area of our city,” he said. “But at 1 a.m., and in accordance with the law, there are certain behaviours that the police force should be addressing.”

Another witness, Kevin Talbott, sent CityNews a similar note, describing “massive crowds of people setting off fireworks” until 2:00 a.m.

Talbott, who lives nearby, said the trouble started at around 10 p.m. when he heard loud mufflers and engines revving.

“I went out to see myself what was happening and it was street racing in front of massive crowds watching along Yonge.”

At around midnight, he started hearing fireworks going off — a jarring noise that continued until around 2 a.m.

“My partner called police to report, and they said there’s nothing they can do if no one is being injured or there are no fires as there are other emergencies in the city for police to respond to,” he said.

Exasperated, Talbott said he then went outside and spoke to police on site, who said there weren’t enough officers to safely make arrests.

“(People) who live downtown are entitled to the bylaws of the city being respected, and enforced by our officers.”

Toronto Police say they responded to calls about stunt driving and ultimately made one arrest.

“Officers from 52 Division were on scene in the Yonge and Dundas area around 10:30 p.m. in response to reports of stunt driving, with approximately 100 people gathered in the street,” a police spokesperson told CityNews.

“Roads in the area were temporarily closed, and by 2 a.m., the crowd had fully dispersed. At least one individual was charged under the Highway Traffic Act, with further investigation underway.”

The City of Toronto has strict bylaws surrounding fireworks. They are only permitted on private property until 11 p.m. on Victoria Day and Canada Day.

“A permit is required to set off fireworks on all other days,” the city’s website says.

“Fireworks are not allowed in parks or on beaches. You are also not allowed to set off fireworks in a street, a parking lot, on a balcony, or on any private property that is not your own.”

The fine for setting off fireworks without a permit on any other day other than Victoria Day and Canada Day is a hefty $1,000.