Toronto ups security and stations armed police around city in response to ‘growing volume’ of ‘terroristic’ threats

Police officers armed with semi-automatic rifles will soon be deployed around Toronto as authorities launch a new counterterrorism security unit amid growing concerns over extremist threats.

Starting in the coming days, the units will focus on places of worship, tourist hotspots, high-traffic public areas, and critical infrastructure, Police Chief Myron Demkiw announced Tuesday in a news conference, the CBC reports. Deputy Chief Frank Barredo added that officers will wear protective gear already owned by the department, and their assignments will be guided by police intelligence.

The move follows a recent spike in violent incidents this month, including shots being fired at three Toronto synagogues and the U.S. Consulate. Toronto is also hosting six games at this summer’s FIFA World Cup.

“I want to be clear today that this announcement is not about any particular threat, but the growing volume and complexity of threats related to terrorism, extremism and hate-motivated incidents. This is about being proactive,” Demkiw said.

"This is about prevention and protection, not reaction," Barredo added elsewhere.

Barredo explained that positioning officers in key locations around the city provides a strategic advantage over traditional patrols in cars, allowing for a more visible and immediate presence in high-risk areas.

"We wish to send a sort of a message that Toronto police is very well prepared, very well equipped, very well trained, while at the same time reassuring communities, many of which have asked for more visible police presence, have asked for more security, have asked for us to be in their areas, where they live, where they congregate more than we have been," he said.

"We think this is the appropriate time. We're mindful of geopolitical events and the way the threat environment and the landscape has changed locally and abroad."

However, not everyone supports the move. John Sewell of the Toronto Police Accountability Coalition said he is “disturbed” by the new security measures, and sees them as a "big over-reaction.” The advocacy group aims to promote public debate on police policies and increase police accountability.

"I think we don't we have a terrorism problem in Toronto where we need a counterterrorism unit. I think we have a few instances of very individual people who have been firing shots at synagogues. And of course that's entirely wrong. But I don't think a counterterrorism unit is what's required," Sewell said, the CBC reports.

"Secondly, I think the idea of having police on the streets with long guns is going to terrify an awful lot of people. I know that people right now feel frightened when police have guns and there's various things in protocol to try and make sure they don't draw them very often, but they do and it causes problems," Sewell added. "This is not going to make our city feel like a safer place. And I think one of the jobs of the police is to make the city feel like a safer place."

The Independent has contacted the Toronto Police Service and Toronto Police Accountability Coalition for comment.