Toronto Police to Increase Presence Ahead of Oct. 7 Hamas Attack Anniversary

Toronto police at a pro-Palestine protesters in downtown Toronto on Oct. 9, 2023. Andrew Chen/The Epoch Times

Toronto police are taking additional precautions ahead of the one-year anniversary of Hamas’ Oct. 7 large-scale terrorist attack inside Israel.

“As tensions rise around the world and we approach the one-year anniversary of Oct. 7 — we know world events always have an impact here at home,” Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw said at an Oct. 2 press conference.

As a result of the potential for increased protest activity and acts of violence, Demkiw said Toronto residents “will notice an increased police presence across the city.”

Since Hamas’ attack last October, protests in support of Palestine have taken place across Canada. Some incidents have involved violence, including incendiary devices being thrown at Jewish community centres and synagogues, as well as bomb threats made against schools. Protesters have also made death threats against police, disrupted businesses, and blocked roads, resulting in the shutdown of highway overpasses.

Demkiw said Toronto Police have managed over 1,500 demonstrations and conducted thousands of visits to schools, places of worship, and community centres to enhance security. There have been 72 protest-related arrests over the past year, he said.

The police chief noted a troubling rise in hate crimes, particularly against the Jewish community, which he said has increased by 69 percent compared to last year. Year-to-date, a total of 350 hate crimes have been reported across all communities, reflecting a 40 percent increase from the previous year, he said.

In response, Demkiw said police will have an increased presence in the city in coming weeks, with plainclothes and uniformed officers, specialized units, mounted units, and police liaison teams. Mobile command posts will be stationed in several Jewish neighbourhoods.

“Hate has no place in Toronto,” Demkiw said. “We know emotions are intense, and as demonstrations continue, we must balance the right to assembly [and] the need to maintain public order and public safety. ” He said recent demonstrations have become “increasingly confrontational,” with some protesters physically assaulting officers and using weapons.

Terrorist Flags

Demkiw highlighted efforts to enforce laws against the use of flags promoting organizations labelled as terrorist groups by Public Safety Canada.

“We remind everyone that charges can be laid at any time, whether it’s hours, days, or even weeks after an incident, including those that take place at demonstrations,” he said.

On Oct. 3, the Toronto Police announced the arrest of two men seen carrying Hezbollah flags during a protest on Sept. 28 in the downtown area near Armoury Street and University Avenue. Hezbollah is officially identified as a terrorist entity in Canada.

Ahmad Sheikhani, 34, of Oakville, and Hamad Khalid Menshed, 34, of Mississauga, were arrested on Oct. 2 and charged with public incitement of hatred, according to a Toronto police press release.

During the protest, officers approached the suspects to warn them about the implications of displaying Hezbollah flags and the potential threats to public peace. However, policy say due to the large crowd and safety concerns, the officers disengaged, and the accused continued to display the flags.