Toronto street festivals will see ‘visible police presence’ this weekend

A heavily armed Toronto police officer is seen on Danforth Avenue during the Taste of the Danforth street festival, in Toronto on Friday, August 10, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov

Toronto police say there will be a “visible police presence” at festivals across the city this weekend amid heightened community concerns following the deadly shooting at the Salsa on St. Clair festival last weekend.

“The Toronto Police Service has been working closely with event organizers and city partners in advance of this weekend’s festivals to plan appropriately and ensure the right resources are in place,” a spokesperson for the police service said in an email to CTV News Toronto.

“People can expect to see a visible police presence throughout the weekend, including officers on foot, on bicycles, and members of our Neighbourhood Community Officer teams.”

Two men were killed and multiple others were injured following an exchange of gunfire in the middle of the Salsa on St. Clair festival on Saturday night.

Panicked festival-goers could be seen running for safety after the gunfire erupted and the event was subsequently cancelled for the rest of the weekend.

The incident sparked outcry from many in the neighbourhood who said the festival lacks appropriate security measures and some have called for the cancellation of the festival altogether.

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, however, has said that the city cannot “let reckless criminals stop Toronto’s tradition of outdoor street festivals.”

“We understand that many people are still thinking about last weekend’s violence and that incidents like that can affect people’s sense of safety. Those concerns are understandable,” the Toronto police spokesperson wrote.

“At the same time, Toronto hosts festivals and community events throughout the summer, and the overwhelming majority take place safely and without incident.”

Festivals in the city this weekend include the Beaches Jazz Festival and the BIG on Bloor street festival, which will shut down Bloor Street, from Dufferin Street to Lansdowne Avenue, from noon to midnight on Saturday and Sunday.

BrazilFest will also be held at Earlscourt Park on Saturday and Sunday.

“We want people to come out, support local businesses, enjoy these events, and know that our members will be there, as they always are, to help keep people safe,” the email read.