Former OPP Jay Hope was one of the highest ranking Black cop in Canada. Getty Images.

Retired OPP Jay Hope. OPP photo.

Former OPP Deputy Commissioner Jay Hope was at one time the highest-ranking Black police officer in Canada who commanded thousands of policemen and women.

Hope worked for 35 years with the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) before retiring in 2014.

He has held top positions including; Chief Superintendent and Regional Commander, Eastern Region: manager of the force’s Traffic Review Project: Director of Human Resources before being appointed Deputy Commissioner of Strategic Services in 2004.

“He was responsible for developing the OPP’s strategic vision, including Aboriginal and First Nations policing,” the force said.

He was also in charge of handling the OPP’s media and corporate relations, policy, training and municipal policing contracts.

Hope was recognized with an OPP Human Rights Medal for his work in the HR department.

He joined the OPP as a constable at its Emo Detachment in Northern Ontario in 1979.

“As he moved to progressively more senior ranks, he served in detachments in Toronto, Whitby, Aurora and Queen’s Park,” according to the OPP.

In the early 1990s, Hope served as a policy analyst for a Task Force on Race Relations and Policing and was a senior investigator for the Ontario Human Rights Commission.

Hope also served as Commissioner of Emergency Management Ontario and Commissioner of Community Safety.

For his work, he received the Order of Merit of the Police Forces from Governor General Michaelle Jean in 2006 “for outstanding innovative leadership in his profession and in the community” for forging ties between police and communities.

Hope has held numerous firsts. He was the first Black Canadian Deputy Chief Aide-de-Camp and OPP Deputy Commissioner. In 2008, he became the first Black Deputy Minister of Corrections and the second  Black Deputy Minister in Ontario’s history.

The OPP is one of North America’s largest deployed police services with more than 5,800 uniformed officers, 2,400 civilian employees and 830 Auxiliary officers.

TORONTO POLICE search for clues in death of Kathleen Hatcher. CP24 photo.

KATHLEEN Hatcher never even had a chance to enjoy her retirement. Social media photos.

Long-time Etobicoke resident Kathleen Hatcher was beginning to enjoy life after retirement when all her dreams were snatched away from her.

Hatcher, 67, retired in December from Burnhamthorpe Collegiate Adult Learning Centre, where she worked as an assessor for the Essential Skills Upgrading Program since 2003.

Police believe Hatcher in crisis called 911 for help on February 26 on her cell phone as she laid dying on a trail in King’s Mill Park.

She passed away in the cold before emergency personnel could get to the scene.

Her son has been charged in connection with her death.

“She was looking for help,” Insp. Andy Singh told reporters. “She was looking for assistance from the police because she was in crisis.”

It was just after 10:45 a.m. on Friday when Singh said officers were called to a trail in King’s Mill Park, near the TTC’s Old Mill subway station and the Humber River.

Hatcher was found by 22 Division officers suffering from “very significant” injuries. She died a short time later.

According to her social media, she studied English and communications at Seton Hall University and hailed originally from New York.

“She’s being remembered as an extraordinary person who was wonderful with learners and colleagues and will be dearly missed,” Ryan Bird, of the Toronto District School Board told reporters. “We extend our sincere condolences to Kathleen’s loved ones and former co-workers following her tragic passing.”

Her friends said she had at least two grown children and adored her grandson.

“She was full of joy,” a friend said. “She wanted to be with her family as much as she could. She loved to read, loved movies.”

She is known to have regularly attended the Toronto International Film Festival.

Friends said Hatcher had recently moved to an apartment in the Old Mill area and would show on her social media accounts, the view she had from her condo.

“She just loved being outdoors in nature and travelling,” the friend said. “This is such a shock, so tragic.”

Hatcher was a member Etobicoke Quilters’ Guild, where she taught members about the craft in workshops.

Colin Hatcher, 37, has been charged with second degree murder and is before the courts.

Officers are urging anyone who was in the park on February 26 between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. who may have heard cries for help or saw anything suspicious to call police at 416-808-7400 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-8477.

SIMON Daim Yar, owner of Olive Kebab, hold up some mouth-watering dishes. Photo by Tom Godfrey.

This dish from Olive Kebab was sure good.

Simon Daim Yar started off as a graphic designer and somewhere along the line went with his first love, being a professional cook.

Daim Yar, and his wife, Angela, own and have been operating the Olive Kebab, at 2836 Lake Shore Blvd. W., for the past three years and they have been making a name for themselves.

“Inspired by authentic recipes, we bring the unique and bold tastes of Mediterranean style cooking to our guests, without sacrificing flavor,” says Daim Yar.

He says their Mediterranean cuisine is created through harmony of ingredients sourced from nature.

He has picked up skills and learned about local dishes while cooking in Turkey, Lebanon and his native Iran.

Daim Yar was born in Iran and was sponsored to Canada by a family member. He worked for 20 years as a graphic designer for a large company.

He left designing behind when he arrived in Canada and immersed himself in cooking, his first love.

“I always loved cooking,” he says. “The more I learned the more I enjoyed cooking for other people.”

“People love our dishes because our food is healthy and very tasty,” he explains. “We only use the best fresh ingredients.”

The food is quite good judging from the mixed dish I had. It contains many healthy ingredients, like greens and grains, in a sumptuous good-tasting plate that does fill you up with a lot of energy.

“Our goal is to share the excitement,” says Daim Yar. “We invite you to fall in love with flavor by connecting you to the fun, food, and culture of Mediterranean cuisine.”

He says ‘we bring you fresh, quality, nutritious ingredients, you choose the savory, intense flavors to put in the mix.”

Olive Kebab can be reached by phone at 416-546-3264 or their menu is accessible at olivekebab.ca

PHARMACIST Bill Kassel loved his family, the store and sailing. Kassel family photos.

A popular Mimico pharmacist who served generations of families in our community has died.

Bill Kassel, died on February 22 surrounded by his family. He was 74.

Kassel, was the owner of the Kassel’s Pharmacy, on Royal York Rd., for 46 years, according to his family.

The pharmacy has been a fixture in Mimico since 1948 when Max Kassel opened its doors. Bill joined his father’s business in 1970 after graduating from the University of Toronto.

Max’s dream was to ‘create a closely-knit store that really cared about the health and well-being of their customers.’ And he did since he was once named Druggist of the Year, for his outstanding work.

“Back then it was a neighbourhood pharmacy that provided the necessities needed for everyday life,” according to the Kassel’s Pharmacy website.

They said then deliveries were made by bicycle and people came from miles around to obtain their prescriptions and advice on health and wellness issues.

“As the neighbourhood grew, so did the pharmacy,” according to the family, adding they never forget that they are there to serve their customers.

Kassel’s daughter, Dana Bookman, shared the news of her dad’s death to his many customers and friends on social media.

Bookman said her dad had been battling cancer for a year.

“Our family lost its heart today,” she wrote.

His family said Kassel was ‘beloved by all who knew him for his sense of humour, joy and kindness.’

He was also a noted sailor, philanthropist and ‘friend to everyone he met,’ they said.

“Bill was beloved by all who knew him for his sense of humour, joy and kindness.”

He was the beloved husband of Carol, father and father-in-law of Adam and Jennifer Bookman, and Dana Bookman and Conor O’Neil.

A family graveside service will be held on February 23. For a Zoom shiva visit https://calendar.x.ai/billkassel-shiva/15minutevisit. Memorial donations may be made to Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation, Temmy Latner Palliative Care, or The Kassel Family Endowment Fund c/o United Jewish Appeal.

The community is already grieving the death of Natale Bozzo, founder of San Remo’s Bakery and Cafe, a block away from Kessel’s Pharmacy.

OTTAWA says vaccine shots does not replace a COVID-19 test for travel for Canadians. Courtesy photo.

YOU WILL HAVE to rent a government approved hotel room for quarantine when you return home from a visit. It will cost about $400 a night.

The federal government is finally cracking down on those travelling to, or from, Canada by air or land to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and its variants.

Non-essential travellers as of February 22 crossing the border by land will be required to take a COVID-19 molecular test on arrival, as well as toward the end of their 14-day quarantine, federal officials say.

Passengers arriving by air are already required to take a negative COVID-19 test three days before they travel to Canada, according to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). They are now required to book a hotel room on your own dime for three days in Canada to await the result of their COVID-19 test on return.

Those travelling from Canada have to provide a negative COVID-19 test to leave the country.

The government have provided a list of 11 accredited ‘isolation’ hotels in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary or Montreal. Those are the only cities in which international passengers can land at this time.

Starting on February 22 all travellers returning from non-essential international trips, like holidays or visiting family, will have to isolate in one of the approved hotels, at their own expense for 72 hours as they await their results. They can only leave if their results are negative.

The four Toronto hotels where passengers can isolate are the Alt Hotel Pearson Airport, Four Points by Sheraton and Element Toronto Airport, Holiday Inn Toronto International Airport and the Sheraton Gateway Hotel in Toronto International Airport.

The rooms can range up to $400 nightly and those there ‘cannot just pick up and leave.’ All costs are to be picked up by the traveller.

The government will operate 16 testing sites at ports of entries across Canada and provide test kits and other needs.

The CBSA said on their website that toward the end of a person’s quarantine, they will be required to take another COVID-19 test. Passengers are required to stay at their place of quarantine until they receive a negative test result.

“If you receive a positive test result, you will be required to isolate for an additional 14-day period that begins on the day the test was taken,” health officials said.

The government also extended the Canada-U.S. border closure for non-essential travel until March 21.

Health Minister Patty Hajdu said the new travel measures will help prevent the importation of additional COVID-19 cases and improve health officials’ understanding of the virus.

“The quarantine is in place for a very important purpose. It allows for a person to be tested for COVID and for Canada to receive the results of that test prior to any onward travels,” said Hajdu.

All visitors and returning residents must quarantine for 14 days after driving across the border by land.

Officials said non-essential travellers have to check in with border officials and an app, called ArriveCAN, can be downloaded to help report test results, quarantine plans for assessments, where you will be staying and provide other information.

A COVID-19 test is not required to fly within Canada, and officials said, proof of having a vaccine does not replace a valid test result. If in doubt check the Government of Canada website at Canada.ca

IF IT SOUNDS to good to be true. It probably is, police warn.

POLICE investigate online scammers who target the elderly. HRPS photo.

They may sound like the police, and your phone may show a local police number; but it is not the cops.

They are crooks.

Halton Regional Police are warning residents about a scam that is occurring in theirs, and possibly other areas of the province.

Officers said a victim receives a phone call from an unknown number and the caller claims to be from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and advises them that they owe money.

“The victim may also receive a phone call from a telephone number assigned to the Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS),” officers said in a release.

“The caller will claim to be a police officer and advise the victim there is a warrant for their arrest,” detectives said. “The caller will then demand a monetary payment from the victim in the form of Bitcoin in order to avoid arrest.“

Halton police said phone calls are ‘being routed fraudulently through a Halton Regional Police phone number,” in a process known as ‘spoofing.’

Police warn the CRA, or HRPS, will never demand payment in Bitcoin, or any payment, over the phone.

Officers are asking people to safeguard themselves and their loved ones by discussing these scams and what to do when a call like this is received. If you suspect you have been contacted by a scam, hang up immediately.

Contact your local police at 22 Division, if you need help. They are available at 4160-808-2200.

MORE CHARGES to suspended Toronto Police officer in tow truck scandal. CBC photo.

DOZENS OF people arrested, including a police officer, in tow truck cloned radio scandal.

Seems like someone may be spying on the police.

Toronto Police have laid further charges against one of their own, and arrested 11 others, as a deepening investigation into anti-corruption in the tow truck industry widens.

The Service’s Professionals Standards Unit laid charges last week against 12 individuals, including suspended 22 Division Const. Ronald Joseph and employees from a number of tow truck companies.

At concern is an investigation conducted in August 2019 that identified the alleged theft of police radios and that several tow truck employees were in possession of them, police said in a release.

The 11-year officer was initially charged in June 2020 and suspended from duty under the Police Services Act.

“It is alleged that the suspects carried out fraudulent insurance claims for false or staged collisions,” police alleged. “The fake collisions would then be reported to fraudulently claim on insurance for money.”

Detectives allege several false claims were made from April 2018 to May 2020.

Police have said the radio was stolen and cloned, and the copy was returned to the force. The stolen radio was then allegedly used to intercept encrypted police transmissions to learn about collisions more quickly and that information was shared with tow truck drivers for a monthly fee, according to police.

The officer is accused of receiving money for collision tips, helping operate a subscription-based police radio streaming service, and owning a car rental agency and two tow trucks operated by consortium members.

He was charged for a second time on February 19 with further charges including; two counts of attempted fraud over $5,000; counselling an indictable offence not committed, four counts of fraud over $5,000, forgery, and four other offences.

The alleged thefts came to light after a key player was charged after his tow truck was pulled over for an unrelated traffic offence last May.

That radio’s ID number matched an in-service 22 Division radio, which investigators determined was actually an illicit ‘clone’ of the genuine radio, in which police calls could be heard.

Subsequent search warrants in Toronto, Barrie and Brampton uncovered another stolen police radio, two-way radio programming equipment and parts.

A third stolen radio was found last June and three drivers arrested.

Search warrants have netted police cash and six tow trucks belonging to three different companies.