Toronto police to increase TTC patrols after violent incidents as mayor pushes safety

Mayor John Tory says after a string of violent incidents on the TTC and a meeting with Toronto Police Chief James Ramer, the service will be increasing the number of patrols by officers across the transit system.

The latest incident saw a 23-year-old man brought into custody after police alleged the suspect stabbed a victim seemingly at random at St. George subway station, something investigators called an unprovoked attack.

Another recent incident saw a man follow another victim on a subway platform at Pioneer Village station and allegedly robbed him after choking him unconscious. Officers said the suspect remains at large.

“The TTC is safe, and it must always be a safe place for everyone – riders and employees,” Tory said in a statement on Thursday.

“I know we all have been extremely troubled by the recent and unacceptable incidents of random violence we have seen on the TTC. We continue to hope for the quick recovery of the innocent people who were victims of these attacks.”

Tory said he’s thankful that the Toronto Police Service and the TTC moved quickly to arrest those believed to be responsible for these attacks.

“This sends a clear message that illegal and dangerous behaviour on our transit system will absolutely not be tolerated. Those who commit these terrible acts will be caught, they will be arrested, and they will face the consequences,” he said.

Tory said he met with police chief James Ramer and TTC CEO Rick Leary on Thursday to discuss safety measures. The mayor assured residents all three are “in complete agreement that the safety of everyone on our transit system is an absolute priority.”

“I made it clear that the city government is ready to provide any additional support required,” he continued.

“The TTC and Toronto Police have assured me that they are more focused than ever on the transit system’s safety. The system is safe (and) that is demonstrated in the hundreds of millions of riders who use the system every year without incident.

“Police confirmed today they are not seeing a spike of violent incidents on the TTC. Both the TTC and police service have committed to doing everything they can do right now to address the public’s concerns and that they will never stop looking at ways to make the system even safer.”

Renewed calls to install safety barriers on TTC subway platforms

A woman’s near-death experience after being pushed in front of a TTC train on Sunday has renewed calls for safety barriers to be installed at the edge of all subway platforms.

Toronto police officers arrested 45-year-old Edith Frayne and charged her with attempted murder in the alleged pushing incident at Bloor-Yonge station. The allegations haven’t been proven in court.

But the request comes with a $1.23-billion price tag. TTC spokesperson Stuart Green told CityNews subway stations would need to operate on the new automatic train control system.

Tory said Leary and the TTC outlined a plan to focus security resources in and around the subway system. Green acknowledged that on Wednesday, saying the TTC has recently upped security at various stations with “40 special constables strategically patrolling the system.”

Tory confirmed in the wake of the violent incidents, Ramer would be working to increase the presence of police officers in Toronto’s transit system in the coming days and the weeks ahead.

“Our discussion today did focus a great deal on mental health. TTC and Toronto Police officials made it very clear how often these types of incidents on the TTC can be traced back to mental health and addiction issues,” Tory said.

“As I have said many times, there continues to be a need for more intensive efforts to address mental health and addiction concerns in our society by the health care system.”

Tory stressed that this is becoming more of a problem in Toronto, saying those experiencing mental health and addiction issues need better access to treatment.

“We simply have to do more and do better, and this will be an integral part of keeping the TTC stable and safe,”