33 Division Community Bulletin
February 2013 – 84th Edition
TORONTO
TABLE OF CONTENTS
POLICE
SERVICE
Unit Commander’s Message ............. 2
Community Response Unit ............... 3
50 Upjohn Road
33 DIVISION
Unit Commander:
Staff Inspector
Tony Riviere
Arrest of the Month ........................... 7
Crime Prevention Tips ..................... 8
2nd in Command:
Inspector
Richard Hegedus
Investigative Unit:
Detective Sergeant
Jim Gotell
Community Response Unit:
Staff Sergeant
Shawna Coxon
Traffic Safety Tips ............................ 9
Traffic Campaigns ............................. 12
The Insurer’s Policies ........................ 13
Crime Prevention &
Community Relations Officer: Kelly Downie
TOTAL STRENGTH
Officers:
Civilians:
Auxiliary Officers:
Volunteers:
Community Outreach ....................... 5
184
10
24
11
From the Front Desk ......................... 15
Community Calendar ........................ 16
Upcoming Events ............................. 16
33 Division  416 808 3300  50 Upjohn Road  Toronto  ON  M3B 2W1 [email protected]
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33 Division Community Bulletin
February 2013 – 84th Edition
A message from . . .
Staff Inspector Tony Riviere
Valuing Diversity
The month of February is widely recognized as Black History Month, but what does that
really mean…
Certainly, it is an opportunity to reflect on the many contributions and legacies of people
of African descent, both past and present, but more generally, it is an occasion to
celebrate the significance and overall prosperity that our varied cultures have had
collectively on our city.
Toronto is an ever evolving mosaic of people and cultures, with an estimated 55% of its
residents identified as belonging to a ‘minority’ group. As a Police Service we recognize
the importance of drawing upon the inherent strength found within our cultures in
assisting in the promotion of our safety and security. We do so by ensuring that we are
reflective of our serving communities, recognizing that our decisions and strategies are
more sound when they include the varied perspectives of those it impacts. We are aware
that our service is more enhanced when delivered by a member that our residents can
identify with. It is for these reasons that we actively seek and welcome occasions to
develop relationships with our diverse communities, and seize every opportunity to
demonstrate ourselves as an employer of choice.
Today, we proudly boast members who possess the many cultural competencies of our
city. These members exist at every rank within our Service and throughout our many
varied units. We remain committed to creating and maintaining a harmonious working
environment for all. Our focus is not only internal, we understand the value of forging
meaningful relationships with our diverse communities and ensuring that our CPLCs,
Consultative Committees and volunteers are appropriately represented; creating an
environment whereby our residents feel confident in reporting crime and assisting in the
investigating and prosecuting of cases.
As we celebrate Black History Month and recognize the vital role that diversity plays in
our success, we are particularly mindful of the contributions Blacks have and continue to
make to the effectiveness of our Service and the success of our city. It is recognized that
our envious position as one of the safest cities in North America is largely attributable to
the relationships we have nurtured with our diverse communities throughout the years;
particularly those with our Black communities.
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33 Division Community Bulletin
February 2013 – 84th Edition
We’re full swing into the New Year is upon us and the community response unit is busy at
work with another ‘Adopt a Neighbourhood’ initiative. Our dedicated community officers,
Auxiliary officers and Youth in Policing Students attended the Cloisters on the Don on
January 19th and spoke to 90 families about how best to improve their neighbourhood.
This valuable feedback will be used to bring about positive change. Special thanks to
neighbourhood officer Paul Frias for putting this together.
Welcome to our new Youth in Policing (YIPI) students! 33 Division has four students who
are working with us until April. We are excited to have them join our police family for the
next few months.
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33 Division Community Bulletin
February 2013 – 84th Edition
The social media beat goes on! 33 Division continues to ‘tweet the beat’. You can learn
about what we’re doing and gain valuable information such as what crimes are occurring in
your neighbourhood or crime prevention tips. Check us out on Twitter @33matters or on
Facebook at www.facebook.com/TPS33.
Speaking of social media…you will see that our new Twitter and Facebook photo has our Unit
Commander, Inspector and Community Response Officers. Whether it’s in person or on
social media, Come visit us anytime!
We’re in the middle of extreme cold weather. Bundle up, be prepared if your car
breaks down, drive with care and look out of each other.
Shawna Coxon
Staff Sergeant 7551
Toronto Police Service
33 Division, Community Response Unit
50 Upjohn Road,
Toronto, ON M3B 2W1
(416) 808-3392
For links to Twitter, Facebook etc. click here:
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33 Division Community Bulletin
February 2013 – 84th Edition
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Black History Month provides an opportunity to share and learn about the
experiences, contributions and achievements of peoples of African ancestry.
February is commonly recognized as Black History Month. In Canada, official
recognition first came in the early 1950's when the Canadian Negro Women's
Association successfully petitioned Toronto City Council to acknowledge Black
History. This initial acceptance faded over the years. It was not until the late
1970's that the Council, after lobbying by the newly formed Ontario Black History
Society, followed the example of the United States and declared that henceforth
February would be known as Black History Month.
HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW ?
(CHECK YOUR ANSWERS IN THE
MARCH BULLETIN)
1. Who were recognized as the first African Canadian Law Enforcement
Officers? Both male and female.
2. Who was the first black woman to be elected to the Legislative Assembly of
Ontario?
3. Who said these words “I have a dream…”
4. What is Malcolm X’s birth name? Where was he born?
5. What was the Underground Railroad? What was its impact?
6. Who was Beverly Salmon?
7. Who was the first black National Hockey League player? What team did he
play for?
8. Who became the first black female television host? In what year did this
happen?
9. Who was the star of the network television show “I spy”? What year was
that?
10. Which black woman won the title of Miss America in 1984?
11. Who invented the blood bank?
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33 Division Community Bulletin
February 2013 – 84th Edition
WHO ARE WE? LOOK FOR ANSWERS IN THE MARCH
EDITION OF THE COMMUNITY BULLETIN
33 Division  416 808 3300  50 Upjohn Road  Toronto  ON  M3B 2W1 [email protected]
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33 Division Community Bulletin
February 2013 – 84th Edition
ARREST OF THE MONTH:
A resident of the Leslie Street and Finch Avenue East area was at home one day when her doorbell rang. She
decided not to answer the door and after a short while the person walked away, however, a few moments later
she heard someone banging on her back door. Believing that her home was being broken into, she called 911
asked for police. Looking out her windows, the resident saw the person she thought was trying to break into
her home leave and join two other youths on the street and they were walked away. Officers from 33 Division
arrived at the house and met with the resident who described the people she thought was breaking into her
home and then pointed them out to the officers as they were walking away down the street.
When the officers approached these three youths they ran from police and police officers chased them
on foot. Two of the youths got away from police, however, a police dog was called and was able to track the
two youths to a house nearby where they were found to be hiding on the property and they were both arrested.
While this was going on the third youth also ran away from police in another direction, however,
officers caught up with him and arrested him.
All three youths were brought to 33 Division where they were investigated and charged with the
following:



Attempted Break and Enter.
Possession of Burglar tools.
Fail/Refuse to comply with Conditions of Youth Criminal Justice Act.
Breaking and entering into residential homes continues to be a problem confronting the residents of 33
33 Division  416 808 3300  50 Upjohn Road  Toronto  ON  M3B 2W1 [email protected]
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33 Division Community Bulletin
February 2013 – 84th Edition
CRIME PREVENTION TIPS:
Cybercriminals increasingly use online banking fraud automation techniques to defraud
you! Despite all the hype concerning impenetrable security systems, we have learned,
much to our detriment, that no such systems exist. The inescapable fact remains; you
are your own best protection while conducting financial transactions on the internet. So
it’s important that you learn about, and take advantage of, security features offered by
your financial institution.

Never share your Online Banking password with anyone.

Change your passwords often and make them difficult combinations but easy
for you to remember.

Never walk away from your computer without properly signing out from
Online Banking and closing your browser.

If you are using a computer other than your own, always end your banking
session and close the browser.

Before entering personal information on a website, look for the "lock" icon in your
browser. A closed lock or padlock indicates that the website you are on is secure.

Installing anti-virus and firewall software can be an effective way to protect your
computer from malicious attacks.

You should download and install security updates regularly or configure your
operating system to automatically check for new updates.

When you're traveling, always use a trusted computer whenever possible.

Clear the browser's cache.
The cache maintains a copy of web pages that have
been viewed recently. (also known as Cookies or History)
Watch the following video:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/F7pYHN9iC9I
?rel=0
Kelly Downie
Crime Prevention Officer
33 Division
33 Division  416 808 3300  50 Upjohn Road  Toronto  ON  M3B 2W1 [email protected]
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33 Division Community Bulletin
February 2013 – 84th Edition
VISITORS &
NEW RESIDENTS
A GUIDE TO DRIVING LEGALLY IN ONTARIO
Every year millions of people come to Ontario to live, work and play. For most of them driving
is an essential element of their stay.
Regardless of the rules in their home
jurisdictions, the Ministry of Transportation
has a few basic requirements that need to be
followed in order to drive legally in the
province.
First and foremost you need to be at least 16
years of age and hold a valid driver’s licence
from your home province, state or country. It
seems redundant to mention this but there are
a number of provinces and U.S. states where
you can get a learner’s permit at the ripe old age of 14 years.
If you are visiting Ontario for less than three months you can use your valid driver’s licence
from your home province, state or country as usual.
If you are visiting from another country for
more than three months you will need an
International Driver’s Permit (IDP) from
your home country. The IDP combined
with your own valid driver’s licence is
sufficient to allow you to drive in the
province. You must have the IDP with you
when you arrive in Ontario; you cannot
apply for one once you are here.
When you move to Ontario, you can use a
valid licence from another province, state
or country for up to 60 days. Beyond that, you need to switch to an Ontario driver’s licence.
To get a full licence you need to meet certain requirements. The process depends on how
long you have been driving and where you were licenced before.
33 Division  416 808 3300  50 Upjohn Road  Toronto  ON  M3B 2W1 [email protected]
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33 Division Community Bulletin
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EXCHANGING YOUR LICENCE FOR AN ONTARIO LICENCE
You can exchange an out-of-province licence for an Ontario one if you are re-locating from:




Any Canadian province or territory.
Canadian Forces Europe.
U.S. states.
Australia, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Great Britain, the Isle of Man,
Northern Ireland, Korea, Switzerland.
You cannot exchange:


A driver’s licence from a country that does not have an exchange agreement in
place with Ontario (it is not listed in the section above),
Or a learner’s permit or novice-class driver’s licence from another province, state
or country.
You might still be able to fast-track and get credit for previous driving experience but you need
to provide the right documents when you apply for an Ontario driver’s licence. You can selfdeclare one year of driving experience by showing a valid original foreign driver’s licence. If
you want to earn credit for more than one year you will also need an official letter from the
foreign government or agency that issued the driver’s licence, confirming its authenticity. The
letter must be written in English or French only and you will need to apply in person at a
DriveTest centre. At this time you will also be required to:






Take an eye test.
Bring original identification showing your legal name, date of birth and signature.
Bring your original, valid out-of-province/foreign driver’s licence which displays a
visible expiry date and must be written in English or French (if not, you need to
get it translated by a certified translator. The translation must be current – dated
within six months of when you apply for an Ontario licence).
Bring any supporting documents that show proof of your driving experience.
Pay the applicable fees.
Fill out an application form (where you will state how long you have been
driving).
If you have at least two years of driving experience when you apply for the exchange, you
need only take an eye test. After you pass this test you will get a full licence.
If you have less than two years of driving experience when you apply for the exchange you will
need to take the eye test and a G2 road test. The G2 road test cannot be booked right away;
it will be administered once you have reached the two year mark in driving experience. For
example, if you have been driving in your home province, state or exchange-approved country
for 11 months, then you must wait 13 months for the G2 road test. Until then you will be
issued and bound by the restrictions of a G1 licence.
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33 Division Community Bulletin
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ACQUIRING AN ONTARIO LICENCE WITHOUT EXCHANGE PROVISIONS
If you are applying for an Ontario licence and you
have come from a country which does not have an
exchange agreement there is a bit more involved.
If you have at least two years driving experience you
will have to take an eye test and a written test about
the rules of the road and traffic signs. After passing
these, you will be given a G2 road test. You can
book the test right away and once you pass, you get
a full licence.
If you have less than two years driving experience you must take the same eye and written
tests but in addition, two road tests (G1 and G2).
You can book the G1 road test once you pass
the eye and written tests. When you pass the
G1 road test you must wait until you’ve
accumulated one full year of driving
experience before you can take the G2 road
test. For example, if you have had your
foreign licence for eight months, you can take
your G2 road test after four months in
Ontario. After you pass the G2 road test you
get a full licence. While you wait for your G2
test you are issued and bound by the
restrictions and conditions of a G1 licence.
For more info regarding the driving requirements surrounding visits and moves to Ontario, you
can check out the MTO website or visit a DriveTest or ServiceOntario centre. And while
you’re browsing or standing in line, ask yourself this question:
Traffic safety: Are you the problem or the solution?
Howard Rosenberg
Traffic Complaints
If you have a traffic-related question, send an email to me at
[email protected]
and I will gladly send you the answer. Some questions may even appear
in a future edition of the 33 Division Community Bulletin.
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33 Division Community Bulletin
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TRAFFIC CAMPAIGNS:
2013 DIVISIONAL INITIATIVES
JANUARY 1ST TO DECEMBER 31ST - OPERATION C.P.R.
(COLLISION PREVENTION AND REDUCTION) TOP 5 COLLSION
INTERSECTIONS AS DETERMINED BY 2012 STATS
JANUARY 1ST TO MARCH 31ST – OPERATION SAFE WINTER
DRIVING
FOCUS ON SMART AND DEFENSIVE DRIVING DURING
INCLEMENT WEATHER THROUGH EDUCATION AND
ENFORCEMENT
APRIL 1ST TO JUNE 30TH – OPERATION HANDS ON DRIVE HANDS
FREE TALK
TARGETTING DISTRACTED DRIVING (I.E. PHONES, IPAD,
OTHER DEVICES OR DISTRACTIONS)
JULY 1ST TO SEPT 30TH - OPERATION WALK SAFE
FOCUS ON PEDESTRIAN ON ROAD SAFETY WHEN CROSSING
AND INTERACTING WITH VEHICULAR TRAFFIC THROUGH
EDUCATION/ENFORCEMENT. EMPHASIS WILL BE ON SENIORS.
Terri Ng
Detective #5665
33 Division
Unit Complaint Co-ordinator
Traffic Sergeant
Phone: (416)-808-3308
Email: [email protected] 33 Division  416 808 3300  50 Upjohn Road  Toronto  ON  M3B 2W1 [email protected]
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33 Division Community Bulletin
February 2013 – 84th Edition
The Insurer’s Policies
By Avi Singh, R.I.B.O.
Defences Your Insurer Can Use If You’re
Accused of Negligence.
With the weather well below freezing, it is quite easy for people to slip and fall on water that
has become ice. More and more, the individual who has been harmed turns to the law for
recourse. If you wake up one morning and find yourself served a notice of claim, you must
promptly inform your insurer (auto if it was due to an auto accident, property if it is in relation
to your property).
There are a number of ways that an accused may
go about defending a cause of action. He may
deny that they committed an act, deny that the act
was negligent or deny that the plaintiff was injured.
A defendant would have to prove that there was no
negligent conduct, even when there has been
compliance with applicable statutes. For example,
if a party were to allege a slip and fall on another
person's property, the defendant could deny that
the incident occurred at all. Or they could deny that
they were negligent and that the property was free
of any ice, snow or any other items that may
increase the likelihood of an incident occurring.
They could also deny that although the incident did
occur, the plaintiff suffered no damages as they
were not in need of medical attention, nor did they
suffer any financial consequences of the fall.
The defendant can also use a remoteness of
damage defense (novus actus interveniens). They
must prove that their actions were not the proximate cause of the injuries or damages. The
defendant must be able to show that there was an intervening act that broke the causal chain
between the defendant’s breach of duty and the plaintiff’s injury. For example Party A strikes
Party B. While being transported to the hospital, the ambulance is involved in an accident and
Party B suffers further injury. Party A will likely be relieved of liability to Party B for the injuries
caused by the auto accident.
A defendant can also use the inevitable accident defense. In this circumstance the defendant
attempts to prove that the cause and result of the accident were inevitable, and the damages
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occurred from an outside cause which the defendant could not control. This defense isn’t
used very often; typically a defendant would just deny that they were negligent. An example
of this defense being used successfully can be found in a case called Ryan v. Youngs. Mr.
Youngs suffered a heart attack while operating a vehicle and consequently struck Mr. Ryan.
Mr. Youngs’ history revealed nothing out of the ordinary and there was no way for him to
foresee that he would have had a heart attack that day. The court would eventually rule in
Mr. Youngs’ favour.
These are defences that your insurer will explore for you if your coverage applies. However
the best defence is always prevention. So take care to avoid accidents on the road, and keep
your sidewalks, driveway, and walkways clear of snow and ice. It’s better for no one to ever
perceive they were injured at your hands than have to defend what happened.
If you have a question that you would like Avi to answer in an upcoming article,
please e-mail him at [email protected] and he will be glad to address it.
Avi Singh is a Canadian Accredited Insurance Broker & Commercial Lines
specialist, practicing in Woodbridge, Ontario. He has been involved in the
industry since the mid ‘90’s, currently specializing in commercial risks.
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33 Division Community Bulletin
February 2013 – 84th Edition
From the Front Desk!
Imagine that it’s Christmas Eve and you’re with your spouse, your young children and various
members of your extended family. You are home and want to have an adult Christmas celebration
drink but you choose to abstain because you know it will wreak havoc on your ability to stay alert the
next morning. Now imagine further that while you bask in the glory of your children’s excitement at
what lies ahead for them after Santa has paid his visit, your in-laws, amongst others, slather you in
endless anecdotal stories of how the conduct of employees in your profession, working in faraway
cities, allegedly mishandled their duties and obligations. And you are left further to explain policy,
procedures and fine points of the law because you are expected to be all knowing and all wise. You
do your best to keep smiling, to be expected to have all the answers all the time and to explain the
actions of others.
Later that night, maybe around 9:00 pm, you quietly slip away to bed, because you have to get up for
work in six hours. You try and fall asleep but it’s difficult because it’s Christmas and everyone else is
off for at least a couple of days and they are loud and enjoying the family time together. However, you
know that your ability to be awake and alert may have life and death consequences for you later the
next day so you do your best to rest. In a few hours you will arise, kiss your children goodbye and
head into a darkened city.
You arrive for work about a half hour before you actually start to get paid. Arriving for work early is the
first of a lengthy set of rules and regulations that will govern your every move over the next ten hours.
When you are dressed and ready to go, packing on up to twenty-five pounds of equipment, much of it
centred on your hips that will cause your back to ache if you stand too long, you parade before your
boss and your boss’ boss. Those bosses will look you over from head to toe to make sure you are
ready to face the public. You will be then told of the latest threats that lurk for both the safety of the
public and your own safety before you set out for the day in a vehicle that is watched and stared-at by
everyone that will have any type of contact with you.
Over the course of the next ten hours, your every interaction with the public will be audio and videotaped and your every movement will be tracked by way of a satellite, monitored by your boss’ boss
from his or her desk. Your every word to your dispatcher will be recorded and all of what you hear, see,
touch and smell you will record via a journal that may be subjected to judicial and internal risk
management scrutiny. Stressful yes, but working under constant surveillance is your reality.
While your children are at your home, opening their gifts from you, you may find yourself standing in
the living room of a complete stranger’s house, trying to compute how an intoxicated spouse could
assault and threaten their betrothed. You are left to wondering why this stranger would throw their
Christmas tree on the front lawn, and wonder how those children feel about their shredded Christmas
morning. Later you will tend to the sick, the mentally ill and the victims of various crimes while
maintaining a stoic professional demeanor. Exhausted and somewhat numbed by the experiences of
the day, you will return home ten hours later, kiss your children and report to your family that it was
‘just another day.’ You have just spent Christmas day doing your very best, serving the population of
Don Mills. You are proud of what you do and the service that the police provide. Such is the life of a
uniform police officer in 33 Division.
Staff Sergeant Jeff Taylor, ‘A’ Platoon
33 Division  416 808 3300  50 Upjohn Road  Toronto  ON  M3B 2W1 [email protected]
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33 Division Community Bulletin
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COMMUNITY CALENDAR:
If you would like a Toronto Police Service representative from 33 Division to attend
your community event, please send your request to Staff Sergeant Shawna Coxon at
[email protected] or call 416-808-3392.
SUN
MON
TUES
WED
THURS
FRI
SAT
29
30
31
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14Valentines
15
16
17
18
19
20
Make a
change youth
conference
(U of T)
day
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
Camp Jumoke
Bowl-athon
28
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