Police Chief needs more officers

“Police chief needs more officers” say the headlines. I would feel better with more cops on the job but maybe managing the manpower they have more efficiently might help.

I live in a quiet residential Toronto neighbourhood that rarely sees or needs a Police presence which is why the events of August 11th are so remarkable.

In the early evening a lone door to door canvasser became irrational and started pounding on the door of a house and shouting “I want my book back” over and over. A call was made to 911 because, although no immediate threat was evident, the situation was not improving because the young man wouldn’t respond to various vocal efforts to calm him down.

A cruiser arrived and the 2 officers attempted to remove the young man from the front porch of the home, a struggle ensued and one officer was heard to request back-up. Within minutes another cruiser appeared and the situation seemed to be under control. Then a third car arrived, lights flashing, then another cruiser and another and another until we had a total of TWELVE police cars responding to a pretty minor incident, many staying there for up to half an hour or more.

What were these officers doing that was less important (or fun) than joining this little circus? I didn’t know 33 Division had 12 cars on the road on a week day evening.

Good guys recognised too

Lest this Blog be characterised as all TTC, all day, every day we have other stuff to say, some of it is good.

No one works harder for me and the citizens of Toronto than the people who drive the recycle truck in my neighbourhood. The guys who pick up my garbage are great too, take a little time to make their job easier and they will respond, at least that is my experience.

How was your summer?

How was your summer?
Mine was great, thanks for asking. I am back on the job with a few interesting observations and examples of your tax dollar being mishandled here in Toronto.
My doctor advised me to get some exercise every day so I have been walking the neighbourhood every morning and occasionally walking to the store instead of driving. Guess what, often there are more people walking around than there are people on the bus.

My walkabouts have convinced me that the TTC really has no control over the people driving the 122 Graydon Hall route. The drivers still park with their engines running all over the place and I have observed and reported a driver driving with one hand on the wheel and the other holding a cell phone. Twice.

I will likely do another ridership count this week, stay tuned.