Neighbourhood groups slam Toronto police move to re-allocate community response officers

Residents in at least two neighbourhoods are speaking out against a move by Toronto police to re-allocate community policing officers in all but three divisions across the city.

The Toronto Police Service (TPS) confirmed to CBC News that as of June 6, it has redeployed Community Response Unit (CRU) officers, with the exception of those in 14, 51 and 52 Divisions. Police say the shift was necessary to support the expansion of a different unit — the Neighbourhood Officer program — in various parts of the city. 

"There was a phenomenal integration and that's a great community thing to have," said Didi Cameron, who lives in a neighbourhood in the Eglinton Avenue East and Mount Pleasant Road area.

"Now it's gone."

Residents say while they understand the need for dedicated officers in other communities, they're worried they're losing a key tool in crime prevention in their neighbourhoods. While some experts support the expansion of the Neighbourhood Officer Program, they question why the move has happened without releasing many details publicly about the decision.

CRU officers are responsible for everything from responding to crimes in a certain area and patrols, to working on issues such as prevention.

Cameron started a neighbourhood watch group about eight years ago, and says CRU officers patrolling her neighbourhood in 53 Division have played a pivotal role.

"We are making communities be aware, be safe, teaching them how to communicate. And it's all from these community response units …  giving us the information to share," said Cameron.

"They are the ones who talk to us, who teach us what's happening in our neighbourhood, how to protect ourselves. They will come out to speak to different groups, organizations quite often."

Cameron says a big part of having CRU officers around is the relationships they've built with residents and businesses.

"I understand that certain neighbourhoods, certain divisions may need more policing for their issues … but it cannot be at the expense of other neighbourhoods and communities."

Over in the city's east end, some residents have a similar sentiment about losing their CRU officers.

"It enhances the safety of the entire community. And that's why I'm upset about taking them away," said Cindy Cass, the neighbourhood watch representative for the part of The Beach known in the area as Pleasantville — located south of Queen Street East and just west of Woodbine Avenue.

"They focus really on building the trust with the people and also having good relationships with the people within your community and that helps to reduce crime."