TTC sees fewer safety incidents after beefing up security: report
The number of safety incidents involving TTC passengers fell by nearly 20 percent following increased security on the network.
A new report by the Toronto Transit Commission set to go before the board later this week showed there were 111 safety and security incidents in February compared to the 136 reported in January.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
The 18 per cent decrease in offences against customers came the same month 80 Toronto police officers were deployed to the TTC following a number of violent incidents.
While the specific type of offence is not listed in the report, the TTC said the number of incidents involving customers in February was 2.15 per one million boardings – down from 2.72 in January.
A drop in the number of safety incidents against TTC employees was also reported, with 99 offences in February versus 103 in January.
“The safety of customers and employees is paramount to everything we do at the TTC,” TTC CEO Rick Leary said in the report set to go before the board on Thursday. “We remain committed to working with the City of Toronto, the police, our union partners as well as our frontline employees and customers on ways that we can all make the TTC as safe as possible.”
The number of safety and security offences against TTC customers per 1 million boardings is seen in this chart. (Toronto Transit Commission)
The 80 Toronto police officers deployed to the TTC in February following a string a high-profile violent incidents on the network came to an end last month due to a lack of municipal funding.
The boosted police presence was covered by officers working overtime shifts at a total cost of roughly $1.5 million per month, something the city said it could not afford indefinitely without more funding.
Fifty security guards and 20 community safety ambassadors are still deployed temporarily.
Despite the departure of those 80 officers, safety on the transit is still top of mind for many riders following what police called an “unprovoked” stabbing at Keele Station last month.
Investigators said Gabriel Magalhaes, 16, was sitting on a bench in the station’s lower level when the suspect approached and stabbed him.
"Like all Torontonians, I am deeply saddened by the passing of Gabriel Magalhaes," Leary said. "Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time."
To that end, safety on the TTC has become a focal point of the city’s upcoming mayoral election.
Candidates Brad Bradford and Mitzie Hunter have both pitched adding barriers at track level to prevent customers from being pushed onto the tracks – a measure the TTC estimates could cost $1.35 billion.
Meanwhile, candidate Ana Bailao said she would cut city cellular contracts until the TTC has mobile service underground and candidate Josh Matlow said he would launch a “Community Health and Safety Fund” as the answer to Toronto’s transit safety woes.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Polls close for closely watched byelections in Montreal and Winnipeg
The NDP has a slight early lead in Winnipeg while remaining in a three-way race with the Liberals and the Bloc Québécois in Montreal as ballots continue to be counted in two crucial federal byelections.
GoFundMe cancels fundraiser for Ontario woman charged with spraying neighbour with a water gun
A Simcoe, Ont., woman charged with assault with a weapon after accidentally spraying her neighbour with a water gun says GoFundMe has now pulled the plug on her online fundraiser.
Freeland says she is 'not going anywhere' after Conservatives call her 'phantom finance minister'
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland declared she is 'not going anywhere' when pushed by the Conservatives on Monday about her future as finance minister.
Suspect in apparent assassination attempt on Trump was near golf course for 12 hours
The man suspected in an apparent assassination attempt targeting Donald Trump camped outside a golf course with food and a rifle for nearly 12 hours.
Body recovered from B.C. lake after unclothed man leads investigators to crash site
Mounties are investigating a fatal crash north of Whistler, B.C., after an unclothed man who was found along the side of the road led police to a pickup truck submerged in a lake with one occupant still inside.
'Never seen anything like this': Humpback whale catches unsuspecting seal off Vancouver Island
A Vancouver Island nature photographer says he has never seen anything like what his camera captured on a recent whale-watching excursion off Victoria.
'Not that simple': Trump drags Canadian river into California's water problems
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump promised "more water than you ever saw" to Californians, partly by tapping resources from a Canadian river.
Mortgage loan rules are changing in Canada
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has announced changes to mortgage rules she says are aimed at helping more Canadians to purchase their first home.
First teen sentenced in Kenneth Lee case gets 15 months probation
The first teenager to be sentenced in the death of a Toronto homeless man will not face further time in custody, and instead participate in a community-based program.