Community Safety

As your City Councillor, “Community safety has been and will always be my top priority”.

I fought for “Opportunities for Bail and Related Reforms” to enhance Community Safety.

Shootings continue to be the most significant public safety concern to the people of Toronto and the frequency of gun and gang activity has a direct impact on victims, their families, and our neighbourhoods. The severity of gun violence, the arbitrariness of many of these events, along with the retaliatory nature of gang rivalries, leave the broader communities feeling unsafe and vulnerable. We don’t want families, young people, and residents in our communities to feel unsafe and scared.

As a member of the Toronto Police Services Board, I pushed for these innovative and proactive initiatives that include: The Gun and Gang Strategy Framework, the Neighbourhood Community Officer Program, Centralized Shooting Response Teams, the Integrated Gang Prevention Task Force and Public Safety Response Teams. These comprehensive initiatives have had a powerful impact on our communities.

The above-noted initiatives take a collaborative approach, working with both the province and the city, and seeking Federal action on the focused legislative proposals.

✔Safety Audits. Organized and participated in safety audits throughout York South—Weston, identifying concerns such as insufficient lighting and illegal activities, as a result, lighting in parks and public places has been improved. 

✔Youth Violence Prevention Plan. Supported the full funding of the Toronto Youth Equity Strategy, along with additional funds to implement community violence intervention and prevention investments as part of the Youth Violence Prevention Plan. 

✔Youth Recreation Action Plan in the Rustic Neighbourhood. At my request City Council approved community safety strategies for local youth; the strategy includes employment opportunities, poverty reduction and recreational opportunities. 

✔Town Hall meetings. Organized Town Hall meetings with the Police in different neighbourhoods of York South—Weston, to discuss crime, safety, and policing in Ward 5.  

✔Additional Neighbourhood Police Officers.As a member of the Toronto Community Housing (TCH) Board I have led the fight to get additional ‘Neighbourhood Police Officers” within 12 Division to enhance safety on and around TCH property.