TTC responds to outrage over online reporting options of safety concerns on transit
Some Torontonians are calling out the Toronto Transit Commission’s (TTC) new web form, saying one of the safety concerns that can be reported is “cruel and unacceptable” as it appears to target unhoused individuals in the city.
Earlier this week, the TTC announced it will be expanding its reporting options for transit riders if they see a safety or security concern.
On top of now being able to text TTC Transit Control, transit users can also report incidents online through the SafeTTC web form – and one safety concern that can be reported has drawn criticism online.
“The new SafeTTC web form explicitly allows you to discreetly report #homeless people as a ‘safety concern’ on public transit. How is this appropriate and not explicit targeting, @TTChelps?” one Twitter user wrote.
Others echoed the sentiment, calling on the transit agency to immediately remove the category, while another questioned, “Why and what is suppose to be reported? And do all unhoused persons look unhoused ??”
Operators with TTC’s Customer Service were quick to respond to the concerns on Twitter, saying the matter was being reviewed and that they are working to remove it from the form.
Stuart Green, spokesperson for the TTC, confirmed to CTV News Toronto in a statement as a result of the “recently expressed confusion about this, we are in the process of clarifying the reporting language on the app.”
Green notes the language has been around since it was launched in 2017, and says the intended use of the ‘homeless’ category is to provide transit users “the opportunity to advise the TTC of someone experiencing homelessness and in distress, which in turn would allow us to compassionately address each situation.
“The TTC will never ask those using the system for shelter to leave unless there are immediate health or safety concerns for that individual or others,” Green said.
SAFETY CONCERNS ON TTC
Earlier this year, the TTC was at the pinnacle of a string of violent crimes, which prompted increased police presence and enforcement, leaving some transit riders questioning their personal safety.
In January, the TTC hired additional security guards and special constables to address these safety concerns, but also noted there are societal issues to consider.
“We know the TTC really is a microcosm of what’s happening across the city right now. And we recognize that there is a bigger society and systemic issue at play year,” TTC CEO Rick Leary previously said at a news conference.
“The issue requires longer-term solutions and the TTC will be at the table with these experts [to address] crime prevention, mental health and addiction, and homelessness,” he said.
“If this is about mental health, why are we putting money into policing and not actual mental health supports?” outreach worker Lorraine Lam asked at a TTCRiders event in February. “Whose safety are we talking about here? And which public gets to take up space?”
“I think we need to actually stop scapegoating poor and unhoused people for causes of violence on transit,” she said, noting unhoused populations are more likely to be victims of violent crime than commit it.
Instead of enforcement, Lam urged the city to invest in accessible warming and shelter spaces, overdose responses, and de-escalation tactics, among other community support.
On Monday, Toronto police announced they have ended their extra patrols of the transit system and will instead deploy officers when responding to emergencies and calls for service.
With files from CTV News Toronto’s Abby O’Brien and CP24’s Josh Freeman
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
'Of course, yes': Poland latest European country with interest in Canadian LNG
The President of Poland says his country would 'of course' be interested in purchasing Canadian liquefied natural gas if it were available, while the Canadian federal government has said it is 'not interested' in subsidizing future projects.
Dozens in Italy give a fascist salute on the anniversary of Mussolini's execution
Dozens of people raised their arms in the fascist salute and shouted a fascist chant during ceremonies Sunday to honor Italian dictator Benito Mussolini on the 79th anniversary of his execution.
Here's where Canadians are living abroad: report
A recent report sheds light on Canadians living abroad--estimated at around four million people in 2016—and the public policies that impact them.
Chants of 'shame on you' greet guests arriving for the annual White House correspondents' dinner
An election-year roast of U.S. President Joe Biden before journalists, celebrities and politicians at the annual White House correspondents' dinner Saturday.
Britney Spears settles long-running legal dispute with estranged father, finally bringing ultimate end to conservatorship
Britney Spears has reached a settlement with her estranged father more than two years after the court-ordered termination of a conservatorship that had given him control of her life, their attorneys said.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Health minister 'deeply appreciative' of doctors but capital gains changes here to stay
Health Minister Mark Holland says while he is 'deeply appreciative' of the work doctors in Canada do, the federal government has no plans to scrap the proposed capital gains tax changes outlined in the latest budget, despite opposition from the Canadian Medical Association.
A top Qatari official urges Israel and Hamas to do more to reach a ceasefire deal
A senior Qatari official has urged both Israel and Hamas to show "more commitment and more seriousness" in ceasefire negotiations in interviews with Israeli media, as pressure builds on both sides to move toward a deal that would set Israeli hostages free and bring potential respite in the nearly seven-month-long war in Gaza.