After a morning of uncertainties about staffing levels of the Toronto police gun and gang unit, Mayor John Tory and police brass surfaced after lunch Friday to assure a city that has seen a rise in gun violence that there will be no reductions. Following media reports of realignment and reductions — and a “very good discussion” with Chief Mark Saunders — Tory told reporters he didn’t order anybody to do anything but came away assured that staffing would remain the same.Deputy Chief Barbara McLean, ahead of an afternoon Toronto Police Services Board meeting, also assured there would be no change in the numbers, but would not discuss any organizational changes.“We are staffing our guns and gangs capability, our unit, the same today, that we will next week, next month,” said McLean. The unit is a “priority,” she said. What is changing is the size of the Neighbourhood Officer Program, which stations dedicated officers in neighbourhoods for four-year terms. It is set to grow from neighbourhood officers in 33 neighbourhoods to 41, and, eventually 60 of the city’s 144 neighbourhoods — and perhaps beyond.The eight new neighbourhoods, to which a total of 40 neighbourhood officers and four neighbourhood sergeants will be assigned, beginning in October, are Lambton Baby Point, Weston-Pelham Park, Islington City Centre West, Etobicoke West Mall, Oakridge, Kennedy Park, L’Amoreaux and Malvern.The final phase of the expansion is expected in October 2019.The program began in 2013, amid increasing controversy over carding, with a mandate to reduce crime, build relationships with residents, increase residents’ trust of police and learn more about the needs of the neighbourhoods. The early results are promising, Humber College criminal justice professor Doug Thomson told the police services board.It is in many ways a throwback to a community policing model that saw officers walking a beat, and truly get ...
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