Heavy police presence expected for Toronto Caribbean Carnival
· Toronto Sun
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No doubt there is a shared level of heightened awareness, for both the public and the police at this weekend’s Toronto Caribbean Carnival.
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“This year, I know public safety, especially safety at festivals and events, will be top of mind for many people,” said Toronto Police Chief Superintendent Andy Singh, Public Safety Operations, on Friday morning at Exhibition Place. “The street festivals and annual events like Caribbean Carnival are a vital part of Toronto’s identity, and we will continue to do everything we can to ensure (the) safety and security of attendees.”
And for good reason, as the Salsa on St. Clair festival was marred by a double murder on July 11. Five bystanders were also injured in the melee, bullets sprayed haphazardly into the night. The continuation of the salsa event is up for debate going forward.
The Toronto Police review their operational plans for street festivals in the hopes of improving their effectiveness and efficiency for the next event on the schedule, which brings the carnival into focus as this event has had its share of violence over the years.
In 2011, one person was killed and two others injured when gunfire erupted along the parade route. In 2005, one man died after a rival gang member fired two shots during a celebration. In 1997, a man was shot and killed amid a crowd of carnival revellers, and a year earlier another man was shot and killed, three others also injured in the fracas.
Adapt and change
“We have reviewed our operational plans, enhanced security measures where appropriate, and we will have a strong, visible police presence at carnival events throughout the downtown core and waterfront this weekend,” Singh said.
No doubt, the Salsa event was thoroughly reviewed by the police in the lead-up to this weekend’s festivities, where thousands of people are expected to be in and around the downtown core and waterfront.
“Officers will be deployed across key locations to support public safety, manage crowds, traffic and respond quickly should an incident occur. We are prepared. We are asking everyone who is attending the carnival to also do their part to help keep this a safe and enjoyable celebration.”
Heavy police presence
The meat and potato events like the steelband competition, or the grand parade, begin on Friday night and Saturday morning, respectively.
“As celebrations continue into the evening, we expect increased activity in the entertainment district’s restaurants and bars, particularly along the waterfront and the downtown core,” added Insp. Joe Matys, of 14 Division. “Additional police officers will be deployed during these times to keep people safe and respond quickly, if needed.”
Singh says the police presence throughout the downtown core and along sections of the lake will be noticeable.
“We are going to have a significant footprint here,” he said. “This year, we are going to have two drones that are going to be up on the parade route and major parts of the city that will have aerial operation to make sure we know what is happening with the crowd, the dynamics, but all of it focused on public safety. I want residents and visitors to feel safe, to come and enjoy the festivities.”
Most of all, Singh wants attendees to approach officers if they notice something suspicious.
“It is a shared responsibility. We work with our community partners, we work with our partner organizations, and emergency services, but we also need help from the community, residents and visitors,” Singh said. “If you see something suspicious or something that is concerning you, please approach a police officer. We are going to have a lot of police officers out here.”