Cops say Passover patrols being ramped up in York Region, Toronto
· Toronto Sun
Police across the GTA have ramped up patrols near Jewish places of worship and other gathering places with Passover celebrations underway.
The eight-day religious observance, which began Wednesday and ends on April 9, celebrates the deliverance of Jews from oppression and arrives at a time of increasing tension over the wars in the Middle East.
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To that end, York Regional Police said earlier this week that people will notice officers in Jewish neighbourhoods as they are “increasing patrols and deploying the YRP Command Post at strategic locations across the region.
“This means you may see officers near places of worship, community centres or other gathering places and in your neighbourhood,” a news release issued on Monday said. “Officers on patrol and stationed at the Command Post will be available to answer questions, take reports and address any concerns from residents.”
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Sites hosting command posts include the JCC Vaughan Jewish Community Centre in Maple, Garnet A. Williams Community Centre in Vaughan and Promenade Mall in Thornhill.
Police also said they are collaborating with community safety, law enforcement and intelligence partners at all levels of government and that they are “monitoring the situation with a focus on preventing hate-motivated activity.
“Hate, bigotry and violence have no place in York Region,” they said, urging people to call 911 to report emergencies or 1-866-876-5423 for non-emergencies.
In Toronto, meanwhile, police have stepped up enforcement over anti-Israel protests in the Bathurst St.-Sheppard Ave. area of North York due to what they said was an “unacceptable risk to public safety.”
Part of the enforcement includes limiting protests in residential areas with residents facing “heightened fear” since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel.
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Police also told The Canadian Press that they are increasing patrols near places of worship and gathering spaces during Passover and that people can expect more officers in residential areas and near grocery stores. They said command posts will be set up at synagogues, Baycrest Hospital, the Ledbury Jewish Centre and along Bathurst.
The increased patrols come as Premier Doug Ford said many Jewish people in Ontario are feeling increasingly unsafe.
In a video posted to social media, Ford reiterated his government’s commitment to addressing antisemitism and protecting Jewish communities and places of worship.
Last month, police in Toronto and York Region said they were investigating shots fired at three Toronto-area synagogues.
News of the shootings drew condemnation from politicians representing all three levels of government and Ottawa set aside $10 million shortly after that to help Jewish communities bolster security at gathering places.
— With files from The Canadian Press.