Bloor West Village Residents Association

The Queensway and Windermere Avenue
11 Division – 416−808−1100

The Toronto Police Service is seeking assistance from the public with two incidents that occurred in The Queensway and Windermere Avenue area on Tuesday the 14th of July 2009.

Just after midnight on the above mentioned date police responded to a stabbing call on Windermere Avenue.

It was reported that earlier a 19 year old man had been walking in the area of The Queensway and Windermere Avenue when he was approached by a man who assaulted him.

The victim fled the scene and returned to his home. Once there he realized that he had been stabbed in the arm.

The victim was taken to hospital where he was treated and released.

Soon after the stabbing incident police responded to a shooting call again in The Queensway and Windermere Avenue area.

Upon arrival at this location officers located an 18 year old man suffering from a gunshot wound.
The victim was taken to hospital where he underwent surgery. He is listed in serious condition.

It is unknown at this time if the two incidents are connected.

Investigators have seized security camera images from the area and will continue to canvass the area for information.

It has been reported that several people were seen running from the area prior to the arrival of police.

Investigators would like to speak to those people and anyone else with information.

Contact police at 416-808-1100 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, or text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637).

PROVINCIAL SEAT BELT CAMPAIGN

The Provincial Seat Belt Campaign, with the full support of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police, is a combined public awareness and enforcement campaign that is aimed at getting more drivers and passengers to buckle up. Using seat belts is the single most effective way to reduce vehicle related injuries and fatalities.

The spring campaign will run from Wednesday 2009 April 15 until Sunday 2009 April 26. It is estimated that for every 1% increase in seatbelt use, 5 lives are saved in Ontario every year.

The spring seat belt campaign will focus on drivers who fail to properly secure their children safely. Child Safety Seat clinics have continually shown that 80 percent of car seats are installed or used incorrectly.

11 Division will be hosting an infant/child car seat inspection clinic on Monday 27 April 2009 between 8:30AM and 12:30PM in the Walmart parking lot located at 2525 St. Clair Avenue West (St. Clair Avenue West and Runnymede Road). No appointment is necessary – first come first served.

ARSONS IN 11 DIVISION

On the 19th of November 2008 in the early morning hours there were a number of arsons in 11 Division. They occurred on Humbercrest Boulevard, Gooch Avenue, Magwood Court and Colbeck Street. In this instance, these arsons appear to be similar in that parked vehicles and trash bags with garden waste or leaves were targeted. The dry leaves were sometimes used as tinder for the fires. In one instance the wooden portion of a garage was set alight causing extensive damage to it and a nearby wooden deck.

You can’t be on guard 24 hours a day or be expected to stay up nights wondering if an arsonist might be lurking around your property. The following precautions should be taken which may assist you and your family from becoming victims of this type of crime.

• Make sure all doors , windows and skylights to your house and garage are closed and locked.
• Keep your vehicle locked at all times.
• Park your vehicle in a locked garage if possible.
• Check to ensure all exterior lighting around your home is powered and operational.
• Use your exterior lighting. Install some if you don’t have any.
• If you have a back alley or easement, be sure no unauthorized person can get into it.
• Beware of landscaping that may provide cover for someone lurking at night – and a possible source of combustion.
• Trim back trees and bushes on your property.
• Ask your neighbours to keep an eye on your home with the promise you’ll do the same for them. Concentrate on houses where people are away on vacation.
• Make sure there are no sources of flammable materials left out in the open, like rags, wood, gasoline cans, newspapers etc.
• Lock and chain barbeque propane tanks (spare tanks also) to prevent them from being used as a source of flammable material.
• Talk to your family about a fire plan and how to get out if a blaze strikes your home. Remember to arrange a specific meeting place so everyone knows all the members of your household escaped the flames.
• Make sure smoke detectors are installed on every floor of your home and they are operational.
• Consider having an emergency collapsible ladder if your bedroom is on an upper floor, to make it easier to escape by an upstairs window.
• Be aware of your surroundings at all times.
• Report any suspicious person(s) or events to the police.
• Do not delay in calling the police. Hesitate only long enough to ensure your safety. Then call immediately. The faster the police are able to respond, the better the chances the criminal(s) will be arrested.

General Toronto Police Contact Information

9-1-1
Should be used for the following emergencies:
• Crime in progress – situations where the safety of people or property are at risk
• Fire
• Medical emergency

416-808-2222
Should be used for non-emergency situations

416-222-TIPS – Crime Stoppers – Report anonymously to police any information regarding a crime (or online at www.222tips.com) Text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637)

11 Division advises:

Theft of portable global positioning systems from autos

There have been a number of thefts from autos in 11 Division where the primary target of the crime was a portable global positioning system or GPS. Most of the thefts have occurred in the area surrounding High Park Avenue. It is important to remember not to leave valuables of any kind in your vehicle. This includes not only global positioning systems but also laptops, cell phones, wallets, purses, briefcases, cash or identification including vehicle ownership and insurance. Even leaving the suction cup mounting system for the GPS on the windshield may cause the criminal to believe something of value has been left in your car. Although nothing of value may be available to be stolen the subsequent cost of repairs to broken car windows and the inconvenience caused to you makes it advisable to remove all such accessories from sight. This is true even if the vehicle is parked in an underground garage.

If you must leave valuables in your vehicle, while shopping for example, please ensure all items are locked in the trunk.

Personal safety and theft prevention are always important things to keep in mind but extra effort should be made during times, like the festive shopping season when people are often distracted or in a hurry. Remember many crimes are crimes of opportunity. Criminals are people watchers and they are mobile.

Always be aware of your surroundings. Look and listen. Walk with a purpose and confidence. Do not overburden your hands with parcels. Have your car keys ready and available to unlock your vehicle. Have your car keys and house keys on different key rings.

When parking your vehicle always lock it and roll up the windows. Never l eave the vehicle running while unattended. You should try and park in areas that are both well lit and well travelled. Never leave a spare key in the vehicle. Before getting into your parked car look into the front and rear compartments.

All crimes should be reported to the police immediately. Hesitate only long enough to ensure your safety.
All suspicious events and people should be reported to the police immediately. Confrontation with suspicious people or suspected criminals is not recommended.

If a crime has occurred do not touch anything or clean up until the police have inspected for evidence. Note the description of any suspicious person and the licence plate of any suspicious vehicle.

General Toronto Police Contact Information

911 – Should be used for the following emergencies
* Crime in progress – situations where the safety of people or property are at risk
* Fire
* Medical emergency

416-808-2222 – Should be used for non-emergency situations

416-222-TIPS – Crime Stoppers – report anonymously to police any information regarding a crime or online at www.222tips.com

A community alert from 11 Division:

Seniors Avoid “Scam” Contractors

There has been a report of a possible fraud artist working in the area bounded by Jane Street in the west, Runnymede Road in the east, Bloor Street West in the south and Dundas Street West in the north. The fraudulent scam involves home renovations and repairs. The male suspect is described as white, late 30’s to 40 years of age, average height, slim build, dark wavy hair possibly using the name Frank.

Every year, home repair fraud costs homeowners money and causes them considerable aggravation and stress. A disproportionate number of those who fall victim to home repair fraud are seniors. Scam home repair contractors tend to target senior citizens, taking advantage of their willingness to trust a stranger who sounds sincere.

Police services across the country report that frauds involving home repair generally follow a set pattern.

• A person claiming to represent a home repair contractor will appear at your door. This person can be very friendly and appear knowledgeable and will explain that they are working in the area and noticed that some part of your home needs repair or replacement. Worn-out roof shingles, faulty brick and chimney mortar and driveway cracking are common “problems” they offer to fix.

• You will be offered a “special discount price” or a “senior’s discount” because the company is in the neighbourhood already or has some left-over materials fr om another job. However, in order to get this special price, you will have to act fast. You’ll be pressured to agree or to sign a contract on the spot. Once you agree, you may be asked to make a down payment towards the cost of the work.

What happens next can take a number of turns.

A lot of times, fraudulent “contractors” want a deposit before the work begins. In many cases, people who hand over a substantial deposit find that the “contractor” simply disappears. By the time the police hear about the problem, the contractor is long gone.

In other cases, work is done but the homeowners are significantly overcharged. A scam contractor’s special discount price usually turns out to be much higher than the normal market price. And in many cases, the repairs or renovations are not even needed.

Homeowners are advised to avoid contractors who:

• Knock on the door and tell you they just happen to be doing work in the neighbourhood and can give you a “special price”. Most problems relating to home repair fraud involve contractors who solicit business door-to-door.

• Promise a discount if you allow them to use your home “to advertise our work”. They have probably made the same offer to everyone.

• Offer “lifetime” warranties.

• Quote a price without seeing the job or conduct a “free inspection” of your home and then suggest you need major repairs.

• Demand a large down payment “to buy materials”.

• Refuse to give you a written contract outlining what they will do, or object to you getting ot her estimates.

• Only have a post office box for an address and a telephone answering service.

It is extremely important to check out contractors carefully before agreeing to anything, and then insist on a detailed written contract that ensures the contractor is operating their business properly.

Anyone looking for more information about home repair fraud should contact their local police services. (11 Division 416-808-1100/Crime Prevention 416-808-1108)

For more information on how seniors can avoid consumer fraud, visit these websites:

Ontario Ministry of Business and Consumer Services: Consumer Lookout
www.cbs.gov.on.ca/mcbs/english/consumer_info.htm

Canadian Home Builders Association website – Get it in writing campaign

Please report any suspicious events or individuals to the police at 416-808-2222 or Crime Stoppers at 416-222-TIPS.

From the Toronto Police Service:

Thursday, April 26, 2007 – 9:35 AM
13 Division
416-808-1300

The Toronto Police Service is looking for adults to work as school crossing guards to help young children cross the street safely.

There is a shortage of school crossing guards in 11, 12 and 13 Divisions.

These vacancies include permanent positions at intersections as well as vacancies for spare or substitute school crossing guards.

S/Sgt Scott Gilbert, from 13 Division, said, “The traffic on Toronto’s roadways affects everyone in the city. The safety of our drivers, passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians is extremely important and school crossing guards have a vital role to play.”

The following locations are in particular need of school crossing guards:

11 Division

• South Kingsway and Morningside Avenue,
• Keele Street and Glenlake Avenue,
• Sunnyside Avenue and Garden Avenue.

Crossing guards work three times each school day: in the morning, over the lunch hour and after school, helping young children cross the street safely.

The current pay is $10.36 per hour with a 12% Travelling Allowance and 4% Vacation Pay. Guards work an average of three hours per day.

Applications may be obtained at any Toronto police station or call Luisa Brown at 416-808-1235 for more information.