Toronto councillor suggests upping police presence at Woodbine Beach on long weekends after city 'caught off guard'
A Toronto councillor says that the city was “caught off guard” by several violent incidents that unfolded at Woodbine Beach on Sunday night and has to do a better of ensuring that there is a increased police presence at the popular destination on long weekends.
A total of 19 people were arrested and seven officers were injured after a violent night at the east-end beach on Sunday, which saw two people shot and two people robbed at gunpoint. There were also multiple incidents involving people firing Roman candles at one another.
On Monday night the situation was calmer, however police said that one person was stabbed during a fight at Ashbridges Bay Park. A total of five people were also arrested for various offences in and around the beach on Monday night.
“We were caught off guard and frankly, you know, we have to own some of that,” the city councillor for the area, Brad Bradford, told CP24 on Tuesday morning.
“Our frontline men and women officers did a tremendous job. They were trying the best with the resources that they had. But I think the fact that you see seven injuries to officers is a pretty strong indication that we didn't have a handle on that. So when you look at command in the leadership decisions, we need to make sure that on long weekends we have the resources available to keep everybody safe, to keep the community safe, visitors safe and of course our officers that are there carrying out their duties safe.”
Bradford said that the violence that occurred at Woodbine Beach over the weekend, particularly on Sunday night, was “unacceptable” and cannot happen again.
He said that the impact on residents has also been significant.
“I spent all Monday afternoon going up and down the streets here talking to neighbors and what happened Sunday evening was terrifying,” he said. “The lawless behavior, the indiscriminate firing of Roman candles at people, at objects, property destruction. It has to stop.”
Police have previously said that at least one of the injured officers was “struck directly in the face with a firework and suffered serious abrasions to his face ears and eyes.”
Another officer broke a leg in pursuit of a shooting suspect.
Bradford said that going forward he would like to see more resources in places like Woodbine Beach on long weekends when there is typically an influx of visitors.
“We are an attraction not just for the city but the entire region. People come down here, they want to have a good time and we want them to come and have a good time but they have to be safe and courteous and respectful and we need to make sure that we have the enforcement and if things get out of hand that we're able to handle it,” he said. “You are not going to see what we saw this past Sunday night going forward. We need to have the resources in place to make sure things don't get out of hand.”
Mayor John Tory has previously said that the violence which occurred at Woodbine Beach over the weekend was “totally unacceptable” and amounted to “hooliganism.”
He has also said that he has spoken with Chief James Ramer about “additional steps that could be taken to limit the presence of fireworks on our beaches and keep them safe going forward."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
Twins from Toronto were Canada's top two female finishers at this year's Boston Marathon
When identical twin sisters Kim and Michelle Krezonoski were invited to compete against some of the world’s most elite female runners at last week’s Boston Marathon, they were in disbelief.
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
NASA hears from Voyager 1, the most distant spacecraft from Earth, after months of quiet
NASA has finally heard back from Voyager 1 again in a way that makes sense. The most distant spacecraft from Earth hadn't sent home any understandable data since last November.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Train derailed in Sarnia after colliding with a truck
Police are investigating after a transport truck collided with a train in Sarnia.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.