Police in GTA step up patrols during Jewish High Holidays

Toronto and surrounding Greater Toronto Area (GTA) police forces are beefing up patrols ahead of the Jewish High Holidays, with Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur fast approaching. Chief Myron Demkiw of the Toronto Police Service revealed that authorities are taking extra steps to ensure the safety of the community, particularly in light of a surge in hate-motivated incidents. Command posts will be set up in strategic locations, including a command center at Bathurst and Sheppard Avenue.

The heightened security follows a series of shootings targeting synagogues in the Toronto area earlier this year, including three synagogues attacked within a week in March and two Kiva’s Bagel Bar locations vandalized and shot at in July. York Regional Police (YRP) have announced they will enhance patrols and set up mobile command posts at key community locations throughout September and early October.

These posts will operate from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m., rotating between the JCC Vaughan, Garnet A. Williams Community Centre, Promenade Mall, and Durham Regional Police Service locations.

The York Regional Police collaboration with community safety, law enforcement, and intelligence partners aims to proactively monitor the situation, focusing on preventing hate-motivated activity. Mayor John Tory emphasized that hate, bigotry, and violence have no place in York Region. The Durham Regional Police Service also plans to increase patrols at Jewish places of worship and community gathering spots across Durham Region during the High Holidays.

Uniform officers will conduct enhanced patrols and maintain a visible presence at designated locations throughout the holiday period, though specific locations have not been disclosed.