Leasiders mobilizing to combat area crime
Leaside is keeping an eye out for suspicious activity in its midst.
There has been an outpouring of community and police support in the wake of a number of muggings that took place mainly near Leaside High School.
“It was almost like Neighbourhood Watch was occurring without it being established,” said Geoff Kettel, Vice-President of the Leaside Property Owners Association and co-chair of the Community-Police Liaison Committee.
“The police have been amazed at the communications that occurred after the incidents last spring and fall,” said Kettel.
In February, it is reported that police made arrests for various counts of robbery and possession of weapons.
“I think we can be assured that 53 Division have made and continue to make Leaside a priority,” said Kettel. “(The police’s) success is in large part due to active community engagement in the issue.”
Although there is a great amount of community involvement some community members are looking at forming an official
Neighbourhood Watch program in Leaside.
The Neighbourhood Watch program is a large undertaking, said William Shroder, Executive Director for the Crime Prevention Association of Toronto adding that it can be difficult to build and sustain a program from scratch.
“(Neighbourhood Watch) will last longer (when it partners with) existing associations,” said Shroder. “When crime rates go down, interest dies.”
At a meeting hosted by Councillor John Parker a number of people showed interest in creating a Neighbourhood Watch program and have signed up to receive crime alerts from the Crime Prevention Association.
Shroder said there was a lot of concern about whether the arrival of the Light Rail Transit into the Leaside area will increase crime but said that they are working with the TTC to address the matter.