Toronto Police are warning shoppers to double check the gift cards they purchase for loved ones for signs of tampering at this time of the year since they can be fake or stolen.

Police have smashed an organized fraud ring in Vaughan and seized 37,000 gift cards from various merchants that were stolen from locations across Canada with the “intention of manipulating them and reintroducing them into store circulation.”

“Many cards were examined and found to have been altered and prepared for distribution back into stores,” according to a police release.

Officers of a Financial Crimes Unit allege the estimated potential loss from this gift card fraud is more than $2 million dollars.
Police said a probe began in September 2020  into multiple occurrences of identity fraud and bank account takeovers.

A crucial element of these offences was the creation and distribution of convincing fraudulent identifications, detectives said.
Through information obtained from a recent fraud case Project HYDRA, evidence was unearthed that led to a printing business in Vaughan.

A search warrant was issued in September and some 37,000 stolen gift cards were found, some of which had been manipulated and prepared for distribution back into stores.

Police warn that when purchasing a gift card, check the receipt at time of purchase and compare data on receipt to the numbers on the card. Also physically examine the gift card for signs of tampering, use  the card immediately after it’s purchased and avoid buying gift cards online or checking gift card balances on websites that are not the store’s official website

Vladislav Tsyganok, 25, of Vaughn, was charged with more than 12 offences related to fraud, forgery and falsifying credit cards.

He is before the courts.

 

 

Members of the Polish community have lived in Canada for more than 100 years and will only celebrate their first Polish Heritage Month next May in Ontario.

Etobicoke Lakeshore MPP Christine Hogarth tabled legislation that passed third reading December 6 and has received Royal Assent by Ontario’s  Lieut.-Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell.

Polish Heritage Month in May recognizes the Polish community’s historic contribution to building Ontario and will forever mark the month of May as Polish Heritage Month in this province, according to the legislation.

Polish Heritage Month will be celebrated each May, commemorating Constitution Day

in Poland, the implementation of the first democratic and progressive constitution in

Europe on May 3rd 1791, the Ontario government said.

“This is the one of the most important dates in Poland’s history and marks the centuries long struggle for freedom and independence by the Polish people’”   Hogarth said.  “Poland has always had a democratic tradition and a desire for freedom.”

She was ‘inspired by the many accomplishments and contributions of Polish-Ontarians to the diverse cultural and economic fabric of this province.’

Hogarth’s riding is home to several Polish Catholic churches, the Polish

Cultural organization, Polish National Union in Canada including the Consulate of the Republic of Poland.

“This May and every May afterward, all of Ontario will share in the celebration of Polish Heritage,” she said.

Officials said Polish Heritage Month is an opportunity to educate Ontarians about the hardships that Polish Canadians went through to achieve their liberty, and underscore the significance of the Polish Canadian community in Ontario’s history.

Ontario is home to nearly 524,000 Polish Canadians, who have lived in Ontario ever since the

19th century. Nearly 12,000 live in the Etobicoke-Lakeshore area alone.

 

 

The lights are growing dim and the days are growing shorter. With each passing breath, we know we’re getting older. It may sound lyrical and poetic and it is. I say it is inspiring and enlightening. Despite the long dark nights and cold winter days, let us celebrate light, in a hundred different ways.

Let us celebrate growing older because it comes, hand in hand, with the joys and wonder of our friends’ and loved ones birthdays and family dinners. The passing days are marked by anniversary dinners, graduations and a host of other beautiful celebrations and holidays that enrich our lives. If you were to light a candle for every celebration you had this year, I bet your room would be ablaze (ok, not on fire! I mean ablaze in gentle, soothing candlelight!)

In the darkest of the months, embrace the smiles that greet you, as you step from the darkness, into your warm lit family home. I say hello to all the members of my plant family (and it is extensive!!!). As I enter from the drive, I also nod, with warmth in my heart, to the giant Grandmother Cedar that welcomes me. The short days and the cold winter nights urge us to love and enjoy. Celebrate each day.

How? By reflecting and enjoying..

Enjoying what?

Enjoying a stroll in the first snow of the season.

Enjoying a nicely chilled eggnog.

Stopping along a side street and listening to a group of carollers, singing once again!

Enjoying a warm steaming triple baked potato pie with friends and family.

Or how about my favorite: A bowl of freshly popped popcorn with your loved ones , cozied up in blankets, immersing yourself in a hallmark Christmas movie.

There are so many celebrations coming around the corner. Do you hear them? I think they are heralded by distant jingle of sleighbells, no? No wait, is it the joyful beat of the

From winter solstice to the arriving of the winter season to Christmas and New Year’s: Which of these brings the greatest smile to your face? Out of every darkness a light is born. Out of the great mystery of the universe, you and I were born. This miracle of life AND light couldn’t be more true than at this time of year.

It’s a wonderful time to celebrate the duality of who we are. Embracing our Light and Dark, we create true harmony. Accepting our natural duality, we grow into strength and power. We exist and therefore we get to experience the joy and wonder of our family our children, grandchildren travels, and growing up. As we welcome change, we are giving joy and wonder to enter into our lives.

As you light the first candle on your Advent Wreath, honour the Festival of Lights with your Hanukkah candles, break out your African drums, song and fruits for Kwanzaa (matunda ya kwanza) or dance under the moon celebrating the Winter Solstice Yule (birth of the Sun) with candles adorned with lace ties, know that you are in good company. You are in the grand company of billions of humans.

We have all arrived on this great mother earth to celebrate being human. There is no better month than December to begin. We have all come from the darkness, as a spark of life and are born into this world (or of this world, as some say — Read Eckhart Tolle anyone?) I dare say, this month is a most wondrous month to celebrate everything from family, good health, our beliefs, and our fortunes to living another day, seeing the earth complete its cycle and begin growing daylight anew on December 21st (Northern Hemispheres).

Will you join me in growing the light of our human spirit?

“The universe is an example of love. Like a tree. Like the ocean. Like my body. Like my wheelchair. I see the love.” — Ram Dass

Monika Meulman, Founder & Owner
The Healing Muse
416-347-5449

The Healing Muse Apothecary
Inspired Living
@healingmuse
www.healingmuse.com

         Ret. Judge Lloyd Budzinski 

It’s Christmas. It reminds me of “better be good; better watch out; the Judge is coming to hear your case out.”  What value has good character?

Rules for character differ between trial, sentencing and Santa.

Character doesn’t mean Mom saying; “he’s a good boy”, parents are too personal and forgiving.  We need a witness testifying about what people as a group (societal, neighbors, job, or school contacts) think about you.

It’s your general shared reputation. It should include: how they know you (e.g., co-worker); for how long; knowledge of the charges and the community’s opinion regarding a specific character (non-violent, honest) relevant to that charge.  It’s a general understanding of what the village thinks and not a personal one.

In the Trial, the Crown cannot raise bad character unless the defendant raises their good character. That is important. If the defence at any time suggests the defendant’s Good Character, the Crown can rebut it by calling evidence of Bad Character but it cannot be used to raise propensity to commit crime.

However, if the accused can establish good character, the Judge instructs the jury, ‘Good character is not a defense but it may be important in the Jury’s decision.  It may make it less likely the accused committed the offence.  You must consider that evidence along with all the other evidence in deciding guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.’

In some cases, where the facts challenge the Jury, it may swing the balance to a reasonable doubt.  Be careful, if you raise it, social media captures our past behaviour forever: no matter how good you are today, the bad is always available for the Crown.  Santa, like your mother, is a bit more forgiving about last year’s conduct, than a Jury, but I understand that may end soon.  The North Pole is installing Social-Media.

The rule for Criminal Records is different.  If any witness including the accused testifies, their Records are relevant for credibility — only credibility; “The Record can only be used to consider how much or little you believe the person. It cannot be used to infer a person’s propensity to commit the crime.” The generalization that the defendant is bad for all purposes is dangerous.  It distracts from the trial’s issues.  For this reason, many defendants with Records avoid the stand.

Be careful whom you call as a character reference.  The person’s character can be attacked and it may reflect on you.

I remember cross-examining an accused when a man sitting in the back row, suddenly started a drunken ruckus. The Judge ordered the spectator out!  The defendant shouted; “But, but, your honour that man is my character witness”

Sometimes, a lawyer thinking he is helping the client produces an inappropriate reference maybe hoping to impress the Judge.  I was once handed a note signed by a city councillor on City Hall ‘letterhead’ speaking to a person’s behaviour.

Confused I asked the lawyer: “Was it the witness or the city who had the opinion. It appeared that the writer may have attempted to use status to influence me.  If counsel didn’t know who was making the recommendation he should find out or withdraw the letter and did.

Public Officials, must be wary when using their titles for a personal matter; otherwise, their opinion could be misinterpreted by the public.

There is a need for a strong, independent, and experienced AG to protect Crowns from outside interference. As a Crown Attorney, it was stressed you never responded to a call from an MP or Minister regarding a case—the same as a Judge.

The standing joke among Crowns was to respond to such calls by laughing;” Who are you really?  You’re kidding me.  Don’t be ridiculous, no MP is foolish enough to call about a current case, stop these tricks… phone my boss, the ATTORNEY GENERAL.” We would then hang up.  It was inappropriate to engage with a MP about a case.  Attorney Generals like Robert McMurtry, Ian Scott and Hampton always backed us up.

In Sentencing, rules are different. With a conviction, both sides can call evidence of good or bad character as well as ‘Criminal Records’. It relates to the probability of a successful rehabilitation or chance of re-offending.  Good character and apologies make a strong case for leniency.  Rehabilitation is more likely and reoffending less.

Good Character has value, not only at Christmas time but for your entire life…Better watch out, better be good.  Tonight, it is for Santa, tomorrow it is for a career opportunity and always it is a matter of trust and respect. Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas.

Judge Lloyd Budzinski retired after 28 years and was a former Crown Attorney, Defence Counsel and Ontario’s Assistant Deputy Minister of Criminal Law. He was Chief Prosecutor in the trial of ex-RCMP officer Patrick Michael Kelly, found guilty of murder for throwing his wife from a 17th floor balcony in March 1981. He can be reached at jbudzinski@talkjustice.info

The Toronto Police are warning elderly residents of a fraud scheme called the ‘grandparent scam’ targeting seniors in our area at this Yuletide time of the year.

Officers of the Financial Crimes Unit said in this scam a grandparent would receive a phone call from a person claiming to be their grandchild calling to say hello.

“The caller states that they have been arrested

and require cash to be released from custody,” according to police. “The phone is passed to a person posing as a police officer and the “officer” demands a cash payment for their grandchild’s release from custody.”

“The fake police officer instructs the grandparent to withdraw funds from their bank and place the money in an envelope,” according to a police release.

Police said “the grandparent is then instructed to hand over the envelope to a man who would later attend their residence to collect the cash.”
Detectives said the grandparent is told that there is a “gag order” on the case and not to discuss this with anyone
The Toronto Police Service is requesting anyone who receives this type of call or solicitation to contact police. Police never contact family members and request cash bail or send someone to their home to pick up bail money.

 

A suspected thief is being sought by Toronto Police for ripping off a man using an ATM machine in The Queensway and Kipling Ave. mall area.

Police said on December 6 about 9:10 a.m. they responded to the theft.

“A man was using the ATM,“ according to police. “The suspect approached the man and tapped him on the shoulder.”

Detectives said “when the man turned to face the suspect, the suspect took the man’s scarf and wallet.”

The culprit sped away on foot.

A security camera photograph has been released.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-1100, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, online on our Facebook Leave a Tip page, or text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637).

 

 

Mimico area women can breathe a bit easier today.

A man accused of prowling the Mimico area by night for women has been arrested by 22 Division officers.

Police in a press release said on December 10 officers of 22 Division Major Crime Unit made an arrest in relation to the investigation.

A suspect was on the lam after he tried to grab a woman through a bathroom window, police said.

Detectives in an earlier release said they responded to a call on December 1 for a break-and-enter in the Melrose Street and Grand Avenue area just after 12 a.m.

It is reported that “a man opened the window to a basement apartment,” according to police.

“He reached in and tried to grab a woman in the washroom taking a shower,” police alleged. “She screamed and he fled.”

Scott Wasson, 39, of Toronto, has been charged with four counts of trespass by night, three counts of voyeurism and break and enter.

He appeared for a bail hearing on December 11 at Old City Hall.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-2200, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, online on our Facebook Leave a Tip page, or text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637). Download the free Crime Stoppers Mobile App on iTunes or Google Play.

 

Popular pizza maker Adriano Stolay thanks the community for their support and wants residents to know that he is back in business.

Adriano’s Pizza and Pasta, at 3329 Lake Shore Blvd. W., is being reopened on December 7 after five days of round-the-clock construction to repair the severe damage of a smoky roof fire.

“We are very touched and happy to be back,” Stolay said. “I want to thank everyone who called, left money or stopped by to say hello.”

Almost $9,000 has been raised on a Go Fund Me page that was created by residents Jackie Goodman and Lisa Davis. Dozens of people donated from the community.  The goal was $7,500.

The family-owned and operated pizza parlour suffered major damage in what seems to have been a roof fire about 2 a.m. on December 2.

The business was closed and no one was there at that time. There were no reported injuries.

Toronto Fire arrived at the scene at 2:21 a.m. to put out the fire, which was upgraded to a two-alarmer after firefighters arrived.

There was an outpouring of love and support from the community to help Adriano return to business.

He said the news left school children crying, people were slipping money under his door and a local and rival Long Branch pizzeria made a substantial donation to help his business.
“I am so touch by all the support,” he said. “I will be thanking everyone who supported and stood by me when times were tough.”

The beloved pizza maker is known to give away free slices to the poor, homeless and supports countless charities with his pies.

 

DECEMBER 7 HOLIDAY COMMUNITY wellness get together and celebration on Zoom at 2 p.m. Self-care for the season and fun activities to reduce stress. Also Mindful meditation and relaxation on December 8 and 14 at 3 p.m. on Zoom. Call Jasmin at LAMP below.

DECEMBER 8, 14 for mindful meditation and relaxation Wednesdays on Zoom at 3 pm. Call Jasmin at 416 252 6471 ext. 308 for more information or email jasmind@lampchc.org

DECEMBER 9 ANNUAL TURKEY DINNER from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Franklin Horner Community Center, 432 Horner Ave., for a delicious holiday dinner in the gym with all the fixings. Tickets are $15 and are going fast. Contact the office at 416-252-6822.

DECEMBER 6, 13, 20 Interactive Polish language program from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. for children 18-months to 6-years and their caregivers on Zoom. Save a spot email anna.wasiak@stonegatechc.org or barbarac@stonegatechc.org

DECEMBER 18 BREAKFAST WITH SANTA from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Enjoy a delicious pancake breakfast, a bouncy castle and a visit from Good Old St. Nick as the holiday season continues at Franklin Horner Community Center, 432 Horner Ave. Contact the office at 416-252-6822 for tickets, which are $7 each and are available from December 2.

FREE EMERGENCY FOOD TAKEOUT MEALS offered Monday to Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. through LAMP’s adult drop-in program. Thursday harm reduction supports from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT CENTRE operating from St. Margaret’s Church on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Meals, snacks, washrooms, showers, and laundry available for folks who are unhoused.

LAMP’s COMMUNITY CHIROPODIST is now taking new patients for foot care services for people who are prediabetic or diabetic. For more information on call 416-252-6471 ext. 264.

EVERY WEDNESDAY from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Stonegate Community Health Centre presents Everything Baby Discussion with Barbara and Larissa to discuss prenatal, post-natal and parenting topics on Facebook Live on the Stonegate CHC Family Program Facebook page at facebook.com

CHAIR YOGA Mondays at 10 a.m. until December 20 by Stonegate Community Health Centre for Seniors and adults over 55-years of age on Zoom. Join Stephanie from the Yoga Outreach Project for 45 minutes of Chair Yoga fun. To register phone 416-231-7070 ext. 307 or email health.promotions@stonegatechc.org

LAMP TOY DRIVE looking for new unwrapped toys for South Etobicoke families for newborn to age 19. Our annual toy distribution continues to families in need of gifts this holiday season. There is a greater need for newborns and gift certificates for children aged 10-16. Drop off at the screening table until December 10. Contact Camishaj@lampchc.org or call 416 252 6471 ext. 292 for more.

EVERY THURSDAY The Good Food Market from 12 to 4 p.m. at Stonegate CHC at 10 Neighbourhood Lane for affordable produce, outdoor market and bring your own bags. COVID-19 protocols are in place. For more information call 416-231-7070 ext 307.

LAMP is launching a Toy Drive looking for new unwrapped Toys for South Etobicoke families  for children from newborn to 19. Our annual toy distribution continues to families in need of gifts this holiday season. There is a greater need for newborns and gift certificates for children aged 10-16. Drop off at the screening table until December 10.  Contact Camishaj@lampchc.org or call 416 252 6471 ext. 292 for more information.

VOLUNTEERS needed to help plan a community leadership program. The purpose is to build community capacity and involvement. Need your ideas! For more information contact jasmind@lampchc.org or call 416 252 6471 ext. 308