August 5, 1998

TO:Toronto Emergency & Protective Services Committee

FROM:Norman Gardner, Chairman

Toronto Police Services Board

SUBJECT:TORONTO POLICE SERVICE - PROPOSED

BOUNDARY CHANGES

Recommendations:

1.THAT the Toronto Emergency & Protective Services Committee receive this report for information; and

2.THAT the report be forwarded to the next meeting of Council for information.

Council Reference/Background History:

At its meeting on July 16, 1998, the Toronto Police Services Board was in receipt of the following report JUNE 17, 1998 from David J. Boothby, Chief of Police:

"SUBJECT:INFORMATION REQUESTED BY CITY COUNCIL

RELATING TO BOUNDARIES

RECOMMENDATION:(1) THAT the Board receive this report.

(2) THAT the Board forward a copy of this report to the City of Toronto Emergency and Protective Services for consideration, and that they forward this report to City Council for their information.

BACKGROUND:

The Emergency and Protective Services Committee on March 24, 1998, had before it a communication dated February 13, 1998, from the City Clerk advising that City Council, at its meeting held on February 4, 5 and 6, 1998, referred to the Committee a Motion moved by Councillor Moscoe, seconded by Councillor Disero, recommending that:

(1) the Emergency and Protective Services Committee review the prospect of aligning the Police districts and division to coincide with political boundaries within the City of Toronto to facilitate community policing and encouraging the elected representatives and the Police to work more closely together at the neighbourhood level.

Subsequently, an Interim Report on Boundaries was provided to the Board for its information on May 21, 1998. (Board Minute C146/98 refers).

The following is information extracted from the Confidential report to respond to issues arising from the City Council meeting held on February 4, 5 and 6, 1998.

Political Boundaries:

Motions have been made at City Council questioning the feasibility of having police divisional boundaries coincide with City Ward boundaries. It is clear that this alignment would serve to streamline the number of councillors having constituents and interests in numerous police divisions. Further consideration should be given to the nature of the political boundaries in view of all interests and not just the Police Service. Community police partnerships would be enhanced if all interests were able to be focused around problem solving at the community/neighbourhood level. The focus would be on adapting our boundaries to serve all interested parties in facilitating community policing and neighbourhood problem solving.

The Boundaries Committee suggests that the City consider forming a larger group to examine the operating issues concerning the changing of boundaries across the city.

External Consultation:

It is proposed that the external consultation be divided amongst the Police Services Board, Unit Commanders, Community Police Liaison Committees, and the Boundary Committee members.

To accomplish this the committee recommends:

That the Police Services Board develop a strategy to engage local councillors in the consultative process;

1.Unit Commanders develop a strategy to engage their local communities through the Community Police Liaison Committees and;

2.Members of the Boundaries Committee develop a strategy to engage special community organizations and groups.

Staff Inspector Bill Blair, of 51 Division (Local 8-5113) will be in attendance at Board may have."

Conclusions:

The Board received the foregoing.

Contact Name and Telephone Number:

Staff Inspector Bill Blair of 51 Division, telephone no. 808-5113.

Respectfully submitted,

Norman Gardner

Chairman

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