Later this morning, Interim Police Chief James Ramer and Mayor John Tori will attend an open-air event in the 31st district of North York where they will share more details about the expansion of the Neighborhood Officers Program (NCO).
This initiative, which aims to strengthen community ties in an effort to prevent and create long-term solutions to crime and disorder issues, was first launched in 2013.
The idea is for the officers of the neighborhood community, who are currently working in all 16 police stations, to be visible, present and accessible. Some of the ways in which they cultivate relationships with individuals and groups in the community are by organizing “coffee with a cop” events. Police also visit schools, attend local events and meet with business owners in the area.
With this latest expansion, the Toronto Police NCOP will now serve 51 of Toronto’s 158 recognized neighborhoods. Newly added neighborhoods that will see officers on foot include Rockcliffe-Smyth (12 Division), South Parkdale (14 Division), New Toronto (22 Division), Elms-Old Rexdale (23 Division), York University Heights (31 Division), Clanton Park and Englemount-Lawrence (32 Division), Dorset Park (41 Division), Eglinton East and Golfdale-Cedarbrae-Woburn (43 Division), Harbourfront-City Place (53 Division) and Danforth and Taylor-Massey (55 Division). A complete list of Neighborhood Community Employees by department can be found on the TPS website.
