The union representing Toronto’s front line police officers says reductions to the police budget will have a noticeable impact on public safety.
On Tuesday, the City released its preliminary 2017 budget, which proposes a $4.4 million cut to annual police spending. Also included in the report are increases to property taxes and investment in public transit.
Mike McCormack, the president of the Toronto Police Association (TPA) warned that crime will rise as Toronto’s population increases.
“We have huge sporting events, (and Toronto is) a destination city,” McCormack said. “That’s a huge demand on police resources. There is clear evidence that properly deployed police officers have an impact on crime prevention.”
New signs for reduced speed limits will not be posted on residential streets in East York until early next year, according to Toronto and East York Transportation Services. The vote to reduce speed limits was approved unanimously by the Toronto and East York community council in early September. The speed limit on some residential roads in East York officially went from 40 kilometres per hour to 30, a week ago. Toronto and East York Transportation Services supervisor Sandra Burk said the delay in posting the signs is because the process is complex.