Police set up command posts, increase patrols in GTA during Passover

Police forces in Toronto and York and Peel regions are stepping up their presence during the Passover season.

Starting today, a command post will be open from noon to 8 p.m. at JCC Vaughan Jewish Community Centre, at 9600 Bathurst St. in Maple. The command post will also be in effect at this location on Saturday, from noon to 8 p.m., and on April 7, during the same hours.

A second command post will be set up at Garnet A. Williams Community Centre, at 501 Clark Ave. W. in Vaughan, on April 2 from noon to 8 p.m. and on April 5 and 8 during those same hours.

A third one at Promenade Mall, 1 Promenade Cir. in Thornhill, will be open on April 3, 6, and 9, also from noon to 8 p.m. daily.

“You may notice York Regional Police officers in your neighbourhood in the coming days,” they said in a news release.

“We are proactively increasing patrols and deploying the YRP Command Post at strategic locations across the region, as members of our community observe Passover.”

Police say officers may also be more visible near places of worship, community centres or other gathering places and in local neighbourhoods.

Officers on patrol and stationed at the command posts will be on hand to answer questions, take reports, and address any concerns from residents, police said.

“York Regional Police continues to work directly with community groups and faith leaders to support local events, services and celebrations. We are in constant collaboration with community safety, law enforcement and intelligence partners at the municipal, provincial and federal levels, proactively monitoring the situation with a focus on preventing hate-motivated activity,” they said.

“Hate, bigotry and violence have no place in York Region.”

Peel Regional Police said in a post on social media that they too will have increased presence around synagogues and Jewish institutions.

“Hate has no place in our community. Everyone deserves to feel safe and supported while observing their faith,” they wrote.

‘We’re here to help’: Toronto police

Toronto Police Service will also be increasing its presence in Jewish communities and places of worship.

This will include setting up a number of rotating command posts, at the following locations:

• Holy Blossom Temple, 1950 Bathurst St.
• Beth Tzedec Congregation, 1700 Bathurst St.
• Baycrest Hospital, 3560 Bathurst St.
• Ledbury Jewish Centre, 157 Falkirk St.
• Beth Emeth Bais Yehuda Synagogue, 100 Elder St.
• JRCC Rockford, 18 Rockford Rd.
• Beth Torah Congregation, 47 Glenbrook Ave.
• Temple Sinai Congregation, 210 Wilson Ave.
• Adath Israel Congregation, 37 Southbourne Ave.
• Shaarei Shomayim, 470 Glencairn Rd.
• Temple Emanu-El, 120 Old Colony Rd.
• Pride of Israel, 59 Lisson Cres.

Command posts will also open near Bathurst Street and St. Clair Avenue West, Bathurst and Eglinton Avenue West, and Bathurst and Lawrence Avenue West.

“Community members are encouraged to stop by with any questions or concerns – we’re here to help," Toronto police said in a post on X.

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On Wednesday night, members of Toronto police’s new Task Force Guardian which are equipped with tactical gear, visited synagogues.

Reports of antisemitic incidents are up

This increased police presence comes amid a notable rise in reported antisemitic incidents in the GTA since the onset of the Israel-Hamas war on Oct. 7, 2023.

Earlier this month, three synogogues, two in North York and a third in Vaughan, were shot at within the span of a week.

Anyone who experiences a hate crime or a bias incident should contact police immediately or Crime Stoppers anonymously. In an emergency, or if you see a crime in progress, dial 9-1-1.