Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw and Mayor Olivia Chow provided an update on security plans for the Jewish holidays, with the police chief outlining a number of measures that will be taken this year.
At a press conference Tuesday afternoon at Toronto police headquarters, Demkiw said Toronto police will have an “increased presence, both visible and covert, in strategic areas to help keep people safe.”
This includes including Toronto police officers in the Jewish Safety Network, an independent professional agency created in 2024 by the United Jewish Appeal of Greater Toronto. Command posts will also be established, including in Bathurst and Sheppard.
Task Force Guardian, created in the spring, will also be deployed, including officers with specialized tactical training and access to patrol rifles.
“We are seeing an alarming increase in the number of hate incidents targeting Jewish communities in Toronto and in cities around the world,” Demkiw said.
He added that since Oct. 7, 2023, Toronto police have made 573 arrests and laid 1,398 charges “in connection with demonstrations, protests and hate crimes.”
Following the high holidays, he continued, “we will maintain an increased presence on the anniversary of the October 7 terrorist attacks to help keep our communities safe.”
In her speech, Chow said, “Toronto Jews don’t need a police presence to go to a synagogue or a community center or simply to live proudly as Jews in our city. But they do.”
She continued: “In this moment of bold anti-Semitism, Jews, Jewish institutions and even Jewish neighborhoods are being attacked. It is despicable.”
Chow added: “Toronto Police has also increased the number of officers in its Hate Crimes Unit to investigate major incidents, such as the cowardly late-night shootings at North York synagogues, and to find and bring those responsible to justice.”
Jewish holidays begin at sunset on the specified date. This year, Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) begins on Friday, September 11th until dark on Sunday, September 13th. This is followed by the fast of Gedaliah on Monday, September 14th.
Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) begins on Sunday, September 20th until dark on Monday, September 21st.
Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles) begins on Friday, September 25th and runs until dark on Friday, October 2nd.
The Toronto police statement follows similar statements made Friday by the Montreal police force (SPVM). They also said they were closely monitoring upcoming holidays and events marking the third anniversary of the Oct. 7 attacks in Israel, and that they would adjust operations as needed based on available information.
The SPVM said Friday that there is “no indication at this time of a specific or heightened threat” and described the measures as part of the department’s “normal practice regarding large gatherings, religious holidays and other significant events.”
Jewish institutions in Montreal and Toronto have suffered several attacks since the war between Israel and Hamas began in October 2023, including shootings at Jewish schools and firebombings of synagogues and community centers.