Canada’s public transit systems facing ‘crisis’ of violence. What can be done? | 24CA News

A current spike in violent assaults on commuters in Canadian cities like Edmonton, Toronto and Winnipeg is sparking conversations round public transit security, and elevating tough questions on what will be accomplished to guard the individuals utilizing transit techniques throughout the nation.

Over the previous couple of days in Toronto, a lady was stabbed on a streetcar in Toronto, two uniformed TTC staff have been assaulted on their technique to work, a TTC driver was shot with a BB gun, and an individual sporting a non secular head overlaying was hit in a subway station in an alleged hate-motivated assault. On Wednesday, an individual was arrested after allegedly chasing two TTC staff with a syringe.

On Thursday, Toronto’s police chief stated the pressure was growing its day by day presence on metropolis transit in mild of current violence within the system. More than 80 officers at the moment are anticipated to be in place day by day to cut back victimization, stop crimes of alternative and improve public security.

In Edmonton, police have reported 35 violent occurrences on Edmonton Transit property in addition to 9 weapon-related experiences because the starting of 2023, and transit officers in Calgary are additionally reporting struggles with violence in that metropolis.

Some of those that work within the business say the violence is unfolding because the nation grapples with post-pandemic social points like homelessness and a psychological well being disaster.

“During the pandemic and post-pandemic, there are a lot more under-housed in the (transit) system, using it to get out, using it as a shelter in a sense,” stated Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) CEO Rick Leary throughout a dialog with Greg Brady on AM640 in Toronto on Wednesday.

AM640 is a part of the Corus Entertainment radio community. Corus is the mother or father firm of Global News.

“That’s why we’re working with Streets to Homes and others, and being at the table with the mayor and the city and the police and our union partners to talk about what we can do to help under-housed as well as those with mental health issues,” Leary stated.

“That’s become a lot more apparent post-pandemic.”

1:49TTC employee shot in face on Saturday speaks out

According to TTC spokesman Stuart Green, “People with mental health and addiction issues who are not getting supports they need elsewhere are seeking shelter on the transit systems.”

“We’re hearing public transit has become a venue for what we would typically classify as antisocial behavior,” Green advised The Canadian Press Wednesday.

Green stated it’s a problem the transit company can not cope with alone.

“We want everybody at the table because we are not equipped as a transit agency to deal with broader mental health, societal issues,” he stated. “Our core business is getting buses, streetcars and subways out on time. It’s not delivering social services.”

Global News reached out to Mental Health and Addictions Minister Carolyn Bennett for touch upon how the problem will be addressed however didn’t obtain a response by the point of publication.

In a radio interview Thursday, Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre stated he needs to see bail reforms for “habitual violent” offenders. He additionally known as for longer sentences.

“They need to be denied bail until such time as they are tried,” he stated.

“And if they are convicted again, there should be longer sentences,” Poilievre stated on AM640 Toronto.

He additional confused the necessity to make investments extra money on drug abuse therapy and restoration.

“We need to put some of that money … to reduce the massive epidemic of drug abuse … many of the random attacks are by drug addicts who desperately need treatment,” Poilievre stated.

Leary stated they’re trying “at all kinds of data and statistics” on the place such incidents occur and share them with others to make sure the security of transit staff.

“It is not an easy job,” he stated.

“They were there for us during the pandemic. They are there for us, for the city, and we want to be there for them as is. We (are trying) to bring people back to public transit.”

Leary added that the plan is to spice up the presence of officers on public transit like extra “supervisors, special constables, fare inspectors” even when it’s only for “a couple of stops.”

“It gives them that sense of comfort and that we’re listening and we’re responding.”

1:48Police trying to find younger individuals allegedly concerned in TTC swarming incident

Violent assaults on public transit are reaching “crisis levels” throughout the nation, in keeping with Amalgamated Transit Union Canada (ATU) nationwide president John Di Nino.

Di Nino is looking for a nationwide transit security activity pressure to handle these points, and advised The Canadian Press that the duty pressure should embody transit businesses from throughout the nation and representatives from all ranges of presidency.

He stated these assaults are usually not solely occurring on the TTC, however “right across the country, and are really at a crisis level.”

Halifax, for instance, has had its share of incidents. Last November, RCMP arrested 5 youths accused of sexually assaulting three others on a Halifax Transit bus.

Last week, a father and son have been each punched within the head plenty of instances whereas using a Winnipeg transit bus. Two individuals have been taken into custody.

“We’re seeing operator assaults, violence against transit workers and our riders at an alarming rate across this country,” Di Nino stated.

He stated {that a} activity pressure might look into whether or not de-escalation coaching, harsher penalties, elevated psychological well being funding, higher housing helps, and better police presence might assist stop violence on transit.

Up to three,000 transit operator or passenger assaults occur throughout Canada yearly, stated Di Nino, although extra are prone to go unreported as he known as for extra transparency from transit businesses in regards to the extent of the security situation.

“We can’t afford to keep saying ‘our thoughts and prayers’ and ‘our best wishes go’ and ‘this is a one-off.’ That time has passed,” Di Nino stated. “We need to have these discussions now.”

The head of the Amalgamated Transit Union’s Local 583, representing transit staff in Calgary, raised related issues in a dialog on Corus Entertainment’s QR Radio on Wednesday.

“We’re asking our stakeholders, the federal government, provincial government, municipalities and all transit agencies to come to the table … and bring forth serious, concrete recommendations on how we can make a safer transit system in every jurisdiction,” Mike Maher stated.

“Although we do appreciate the commitment with the current municipal government, recognizing … and putting money towards it, there needs to be something additional,” he stated.

2:25Toronto Police hunt for suspect in reference to alleged hate-motivated assault at TTC station

He agreed {that a} nationwide transit security activity pressure that ATU Canada has known as for, might assist look into extra helps that could be wanted to stop violence on transit.

Maher stated the violence is deterring individuals from desirous to change into transit operators, describing the affect on hiring as “huge.”

His chapter is looking for amendments to the Criminal Code to make attacking a transit operator an aggravating think about a felony offence.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has assured that the federal authorities will proceed to work with provinces and cities to make sure Canadians are protected.

“If there is a role for the federal government to step up, we will no doubt step up,” he advised reporters on Wednesday. “It’s something we are happy to partner with provinces and municipalities on.”

Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation has additionally expressed its concern over the rise in violence in public transit and stated they’re open to discussions about the right way to maintain the province’s public transit techniques protected.

“Transit workers play an essential role in ensuring Ontarians can get where they need to go every day, and they, along with commuters, deserve to feel safe,” stated Dakota Brasier, press secretary for Transportation Minister Caroline Mulroney.

“All levels of government agree on the importance of ensuring transit systems across the province are safe.”

– with information from The Canadian Press