An alleged carjacker has been arrested by Toronto Police in South Etobicoke close to the Sherway Gardens area.

Police alleged the incident occurred as the victim was parked in his vehicle in The Queensway and North Queen Street area around 10:23 p.m. on November 29.

A suspect approached the victim and allegedly assaulted him and tried to steal his vehicle.

Officers of a newly-formed Provincial Carjacking Joint Task Force (PCJTF) were called and the suspect was arrested.

There has been about 3,000 vehicles stolen in the South Etobicoke area in the last year. Most are resold in the GTA for use in committing crimes or shipped overseas for sale.

Louie Hodge, 35, of Toronto, has been charged with robbery and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.

He was slated to make a court appearance on November 30 at the Ontario Court of Justice.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-7350, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at www.222tips.com.

The PCJTF was formed to tackle the rising incidents of violence related to auto crimes across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

Local police services have combined resources to form the PCJTF to co-ordinate law enforcement efforts in combating these crimes.

This collaborative approach aims to disrupt the networks responsible for violent and high-risk auto thefts and maximize enforcement efforts against criminal organizations.

It could be a bummer for many this Christmas season.

A long-time agency that helps the needy and those down and out may soon be shutting its doors due to a lack of resources and huge demand for its services.

Haven on the Queensway, at 1533 The Queensway, is trying to raise $100,000 in 30 days so it can continue helping people.

“We are reaching out to you with an urgent plea,” wrote Haven’s executive director Roger Berg. “Without financial support Haven on the Queensway is facing the imminent possibility of having to cease our operations.”

The agency said they’re experiencing more people who are facing food insecurity and in the past 24 months and have seen an increase of clients from about 450 weekly to now over 1,000 people every week.

“The demand for our food assistance has surged significantly, reflecting the harsh reality faced by many who are struggling to put food on their tables,” Berg said.

The Daily Bread Food Bank in New Toronto has also complained about the large amounts receiving food in the community with many working people collecting food because they cannot make ends meet.

Berg said statistics reveal that one out of 10 Torontonians are using foodbanks for their meals.

“Closing our doors would be detrimental to our clients and community,” he noted. “We need your support more than ever before.”

The non-profit organization was formed in 2009 and has been providing food, clothing and other essential items to those in need in South Etobicoke.

He said Haven serves about 6,000 individuals a week across all its programs.

“That’s 51 per cent more than this time last year,” Haven said. “Just with our clothing closet, we’ve seen a request for clothing, a 300 per cent increase month over month.”

They had 150 requests for clothing in October alone as its gets cooler outside.

Clients are grateful to receive food, diapers, clothes, boots and coats for themselves and children as it gets cooler.

“In the last few months, demand for the food bank specifically has skyrocketed,” Berg said. “We’re confronted with the reality of growing operating costs and a significant shortfall in our financial donations.”

He said the demand for clothing has soared by 333%, jumping from an average of 30 new intakes to a staggering 130.

“While the food bank is most popular, Haven offers other programs that are also experiencing a surge in demand,” according to an online campaign.

Haven said one staffer recently encountered a mother standing before her with her baby, expressing the desperation of having nothing to feed her child.

“This heartbreaking reality is becoming more prevalent, and our community is facing a crisis,” the agency officials said.

They said the number of people experiencing homelessness served by a Hope with Wheels program has risen by 120% over the past year alone.

“Our seniors rely on our deliveries of food and hygiene kits and look forward to our weekly friendly phone calls,” said Aretha Khaloo, Director of Operations. “The demand for these deliveries has surged, and we are now confronted with a long waitlist.”

Khaloo said there is also a first Care program for new parents with children under the age of two where they hand out diapers or formula until they run out.

And workers hit the road two or three times a week and feed people living on the streets.

“We try to provide them with some warm clothing, sleeping bags, as well as chilli, soup, sandwiches and hygiene kits,” explained Kaloo.

You can visit www.havenontheq.org/donate to make a donation or to find out more about ways to give.  All donations of $20 or more will receive a charitable donation receipt.

No disciplinary action will be taken against a Toronto Police officer who shot a suspect who fatally shot beloved police dog Bingo last summer.

The province’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has ruled that the officer was justified in shooting the suspect who killed Police Services Dog (PSD), Bingo, last July 25.

On that evening undercover officers were at an apartment building at 290 Dixon Road searching for a suspect sought for the killing of a man in an apartment on The Queensway a day earlier.

“Aware of the man’s general location, police established a perimeter and called in a dog handler to help locate the man. Shortly after the dog entered some brush in one of the rear yards, the man fired his weapon and the dog was fatally struck,” according to a SIU release.

They said the suspect, who was hiding behind some bushes, fired his weapon several times at an officer and fled the area on foot towards Kingsview Boulevard.

An officer returned fire and the suspect was shot and then arrested. The wounded man was taken to hospital in serious condition.

The killing of two-year PSD Bingo touched police and many city residents as the canine was involved in helping officers sniff out suspects in many cases.

A packed memorial service attended by hundreds of officers, including the Police Chief, was held for Bingo at Woodbine Banquet Hall on Sept. 22.

The suspect is before the courts.

 

City officials are moving ahead with a wide-ranging Mimico Neighbourhood Mobility Plan (NMP) to slow down speeders and ensure the safety of pedestrians and cyclists using local roadways.

The NMP will change the face of the area and identify, prioritize and recommend short and long-term improvements to traffic operations in the Mimico area.

There will be a meeting to update the community on December 11 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Mimico Centennial Public Library, at 47 Station Road. A survey is being conducted for residents to provide input.

The NMP is meant to improve road design to support road safety for all modes of transportation including vulnerable road users as seniors, school children, people walking and cycling in Mimico, according to city officials.

It is designed to reduce traffic fatalities, reduce speeding and excessive traffic on local roads, enforce non-compliance with traffic regulations and signage and improve road and intersection designs that pose concerns.

The city is recommending new cycle tracks with physical separation from vehicles and connections to existing bikeways on Stanley Avenue and the Martin Goodman trail.

Also being considered are reduced lane widths to reduce speeds and encourage driver alertness and the removal of three-hour free street parking on Superior Avenue between Stanley Avenue and Lake Shore Blvd. W.

Speed bumps on a number of local streets are also being looked at.

Officials said there will be no changes to the number of vehicle travel lanes and Green P parking on the streets and lots will not be affected.

The City is planning to replace the existing shared lane markings and install uni-directional cycle tracks  and safety enhancements on Superior Avenue from Stanley Avenue to Lake Shore  Boulevard West. These changes will address excessive speeding, aggressive driving, and may also discourage non-local traffic on local streets.

“These were key concerns identified by the community in the first phase of engagement for the Mimico NMP,” according to a release.

Changes will include cycle tracks on each side of the street for safety, a painted median with planters which reduces lane width to help prevent aggressive passing, and introduces additional green space to the street

Lanes will also be narrowed to reduce speeding without the need for many speed humps.

There will also be intersection improvements like high visibility crosswalks, tactile walking surface indicators and corner radius reductions.

The Mimico NMP project area is located between Royal York Road to the west, Manchester Street, Burlington Street, Victoria Street to the north, Louisa Street to the east and Lake Shore Boulevard West to the south.

The area also includes Judson Street, Royal York Road intersection and the Newcastle Street, Royal York Road intersection, and will take into account dynamics from a broader context area.

One of the highest-ranking female officers serving with Toronto Police has been honoured for her 34 years of experience while working in a variety of roles with the force.

Deputy Chief Lauren Pogue was honoured by the Royal Canadian Military Institute (RCMI) in a sold-out appreciation dinner held in partnership with Ontario Women in Law Enforcement (OWLE) for her support of inclusive policing throughout her career.

“We have had the incredible opportunity to honour Lauren Pogue as a long-time supporter of women in law enforcement, an advocate for equity, diversity, and mentoring,” said Superintendent Kim O’Toole, who is also the President of OWLE.

“She really pushed the boundaries and she set the stage for so many people to come behind her,” O’Toole said. “I wish I had a Lauren Pogue as a mentor for me 29 years ago.”

She is the second TPS member honoured by the group in two years. Former Chief James Ramer was honoured in 2022.

Adrienne McLennan, a member of the RCMI Board of Directors, said Pogue was nominated for the honour by the Toronto Police Military Veterans Association.

Calling her “a wonderful example of women in policing,” McLennan said “she is a shining example of leadership and I have seen her display the compassionate side of herself.”

While the RCMI had been hosting Police Appreciation nights pre-COVID, it was last year that it decided to honour officers who have created a large impact throughout their careers.

Although the event celebrated Pogue’s achievements and journey in policing, she reiterated the importance of her own mentors in providing her with career growth opportunities.

“It was truly an incredible honour to be recognized, and given the opportunity to share how progressive, inclusive leaders helped shape my career,” the heralded officer said.

Pogue was appointed Deputy Chief of Police of Community Safety Command more than nine months ago.

She oversees 12 districts consisting of 16 Divisions, plus Field Services, which includes the Toronto Police Operations Centre, Communications Services, Traffic Services, Parking Enforcement, the Public Safety Response Team and the Community Partnerships & Engagement Unit.

Previously as Staff Superintendent, she was responsible for Detective Operations, which includes Intelligence Services, Organized Crime Enforcement and Specialized Criminal Investigations.

These units include high-profile investigative units such as the Homicide and Missing Persons Unit, the Integrated Gun and Gang Task Force, the Hold-Up Squad and Forensic Identification Services.

She previously served as the Unit Commander of Central District, as Unit Commander of the Hold-Up Squad, and as second-in-command of Intelligence Services.

Pogue fulfilled a number of supervisory roles and was an investigator in various units of the force, including Intelligence Services, the Drug Squad, the Fugitive Squad and the Firearms Enforcement Unit.

The career officer led security teams during the Pan Am Games and was the Ceremonies Chair for the Special Olympics Ontario Invitational Youth Games.

She served as an Incident Commander during many large demonstrations, including the Raptor’s NBA playoff games and the Championship Parade.

The Deputy Chief is also an executive sponsor of the Aboriginal Internal Support Network and Co-Chair of the Chief’s Aboriginal Consultative Committee, working closely with Indigenous Peoples to continue building meaningful partnerships.

 

 

 

Just in time for Christmas!

The  newest mural in the community has been completed on a wall outside Mimico Home Hardware and it signifies Mimico and its nature.

The large wall of art on the outside of the Superior Avenue store is the handicraft of Etobicoke artist Jessica Hiemstra, who is also a writer and designer.

“Jessica works in a variety of mediums on many kinds of surfaces – from watercolour and thread on paper to acrylic on acetate to plastic bags sewn into canvas,” according to her website.

”The Mimico waterfront is home to many animals who have lived here for thousands of years,” she says. “This mural is a portrait of the animals and trees who call Etobicoke home.”

She says the mural brings to life the flora and fauna of our neighbourhood, and the beautiful home we inhabit together on the shore of Lake Ontario.

The mural includes the beaver, which resides among the rocks along the water way; the mink, often seen fishing and darting along stones on the lakefront and the red-necked grebe; whose nests and mating rituals are part of the spring and summer landscape.

It also features the hooded merganser, whose spiked crown cuts into the skyline along the lake in cold months. There is also the bufflehead, whose compact black and white body bobs on top of the water; a garter snake; which flits in the underbrush along the trails and the skunk; that digs for grubs during the night along the shore and in the parks.

There is also the mallard, that every spring brings much joy to the neighborhood with trails of ducklings bouncing like corks in the water.

“Many people have enjoyed the abundance of the waterfront in Mimico over the centuries,” Hiemstra writes. “Algonquin-speaking Mississauga people settled here in the 1600s and named the stretch of shore between the Etobicoke Creek and the Humber River “wadoopikaang” which means “where the alders grow.”

This word was transcribed by a settler surveyor as “ato-be-coake,” which became the word Etobicoke.

The background colours in the mural are reminiscent of the blues, greens and greys that are characteristic of the lake and sky throughout the seasons.

You can see more of her work at www.jessicahiemstra.ca