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Join Our Community Safety Town Hall + NYCC Highlights

  • councillorcarroll
  • 42 minutes ago
  • 6 min read

This year, I’ve spent more time thinking about community safety than at any other point in my public service career. As Chair of the Toronto Police Service Board, I’ve been working closely with the Service to support long-overdue improvements. City-wide, we’re seeing real progress: major crimes are down 10.3% year-to-date, homicides have dropped by 53.9%, auto thefts are down 30.5%, robberies are down 16.2%, and break-and-enters have decreased by 12.5%. These improvements are encouraging — but neighbourhood-level concerns matter just as much.

 

That’s why I’d love for you to join me on Wednesday, December 3rd at Divine Mercy Catholic School for a Community Safety Town Hall, co-hosted with Superintendent Donovan Locke of 33 Division. This is an opportunity to hear directly about the work underway to keep our community safe, the progress we’re making together, and the next steps ahead. You’ll also have plenty of time to ask questions and share your concerns.


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Even with crime trending downward, we know many residents still feel uneasy. In a city of 3.2 million people, a single high-profile incident can dominate the news cycle and shake our sense of safety. That’s why these conversations matter. Hearing directly from the officers and City staff who deal with these issues every day — and who can provide specific, local answers — can help us all feel better informed and more confident in the path forward.

 

Here are some of the key topics we’ll cover:

 

1. Policing programs and approaches that are making a difference

Police Chief Myron Demkiw often references the multi-year hiring plan, but the strategy goes far beyond adding new recruits. We’ll discuss how new officers are being deployed — in neighbourhoods, and in specialized units focused on guns, gangs, and hate — and the updated training that supports Toronto’s long-term safety.

 

2. SafeTO: Toronto’s Community Safety and Well-Being Plan

Reducing crime takes more than policing. Our Police Senior Command will speak to the strengthened collaboration between the City’s social development and youth programs, community agencies, and outreach teams. SafeTO has deepened trust across these partners and improved crisis response both across the city and on the TTC. We’ll walk through how these coordinated efforts are producing real results.


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3. Safety at Home

Officers from 33 Division will share practical steps you can take to protect your home, vehicle, and neighbourhood. Crime around the home continues to decline, but simple everyday habits can eliminate many crimes of opportunity. We’ll review the checklist together.

 

4. Expanding the Neighbourhood Community Officer (NCO) Program

The Toronto Police Service has expanded the NCO program into four new neighbourhoods — and onto the TTC. We already benefit from dedicated NCO teams and the latest expansion adds a much needed team here in 33 Division.For the first time, the program also includes Toronto’s underground transit system. Two full teams of officers will patrol between Union and Eglinton, providing seven-day-a-week dedicated coverage on the Yonge Line, where data tells us we have the biggest challenge. They’ll work closely with TTC Special Constables and community partners to support vulnerable riders and assist people in crisis. Additionally, officers from across the city will be including regular patrols across the system as part of their on-duty work, to provide even greater visibility.


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I hope you’ll join me on Wednesday, December 3rd for this important conversation. Together, we can continue strengthening safety, supporting our neighbours, and building a community where everyone feels secure. I look forward to seeing you there.

 

North York Community Council Preview

 

Next Friday is the final North York Community Council meeting of the year, and the agenda includes several major development application reports I want to highlight for you. This is your opportunity to depute — in person, online, or in writing — to provide feedback to the committee before our final recommendations go to City Council later this month.

To participate you can:

  • Watch the meeting live: www.youtube.com/TorontoCityCouncilLive

  • Submit written comments: Email nycc@toronto.ca or mail the City Clerk, North York Community Council, 100 Queen Street West, 2nd Floor, West Tower, Toronto ON M5H 2N2.

  • Speak at the meeting: Register by 12:00 p.m. on December 4, 2025, by emailing nycc@toronto.ca or calling 416-392-4666. You may attend in person, by video conference, or by telephone

 

 

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This report recommends approving changes to the Official Plan and Zoning By-law to amend part of the previously approved  development at 71 Talara Dr. The plan includes:

  • An increase in tower height from 23-storeys to 36-storeys with a four- to five-storey podium along Talara Drive, containing 385 units of housing, including 29 rental replacement units.

  • A five-level underground parking garage with 197 parking spaces and three short-term pick-up/drop-off spaces at grade.

The proposal meets the requirements of the Provincial Planning Statement, 2024 and aligns with the goals of the City’s Official Plan, including the Renew Sheppard East Secondary Plan (OPA 777).

 

 

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The site is currently home to the existing YMCA. The proposal would allow the new facility to be built closer to Sheppard Avenue East while keeping the current building fully operational throughout construction, ensuring uninterrupted access to programs and services.

This report recommends approving changes to the Official Plan and Zoning By-law to allow a new development at 567 Sheppard Avenue East. The plan includes three buildings:

  • Two residential towers, each 48 storeys tall, located on the south side of the site with a total of 1,115 units of housing.

  • A new three-storey YMCA on the north side facing Sheppard Avenue East, with 6,671 m² of community space.

 

I still have concerns about traffic and the organization of this site. I will be pressing City Planning at this meeting on how they suggest to address the very real congestion impacts we’re seeing at Bayview and Sheppard.

 

The proposal is consistent with the Provincial Planning Statement, 2024 and aligns with the City’s Official Plan, including the Renew Sheppard East Secondary Plan (OPA 777).


 

 

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This report recommends approving changes to the Official Plan and Zoning By-law to amend part of the previously approved Parkside Square development at 15 Smooth Rose Court. The plan includes:

  • Building A, which would increase in height from 35 storeys (105.5 m) to 43 storeys (129.5 m), with a corresponding increase in overall density. The building would contain 463 homes with a mix of unit types and sizes while maintaining the approved tower floorplate.

  • 296 parking spaces (250 residential, 46 visitor), 12 accessible spaces.

The proposal meets the requirements of the Provincial Planning Statement, 2024 and aligns with the goals of the City’s Official Plan.



  


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This report reviews an application to amend the Official Plan and Zoning By-law for Block 2 of the Concord Redevelopment at 1125 Sheppard Avenue East. The proposed development includes:

  • Two residential towers, 52 and 48 storeys, on a shared 6-storey podium.

  • A privately owned publicly accessible space at the southeast corner of the site.

  • A landscaped mid-block connection linking Sheppard Avenue East to Singer Court.


The development proposed 1,238 homes, with a total gross floor area of 78,265.24 m², including 2,881.8 m² of non-residential space.


City staff has recommended refusing the application because, in its current form, it does not conform to the City’s Official Plan, the Sheppard Subway Corridor Secondary Plan, or the Renew Sheppard East Secondary Plan.


A reminder that a refusal report does not prevent a developer from continuing with a project. If Council were to refuse the application, the developer has a few options: they could resubmit the proposal with changes in hopes of receiving an approval report in the future, or they could appeal the decision to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT).


This example shows that while the Province has made planning approvals more permissive in recent years, City planning staff continue to review applications carefully and will recommend refusal if a proposal does not meet the policies and guidelines designed to guide development in our communities.

 

 


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This report recommends approving changes to the previously approved development at 1 Herons Hill. The plan includes:

  • A reduction in required employment space from 3,342 m² to 2,227 m², to accommodate 7 additional residential units, with no changes to the built form previously approved.

 

Of concern to me is the lack of any affordable housing provisions should this be a purpose-built rental building, the type all orders of government are working to incentivize. I will be working with Planning staff and the applicant to ensure that we can achieve some affordable units, as envisioned in our ConsumersNext Secondary Plan.


The proposal meets the requirements of the Provincial Planning Statement, 2024 and conforms to the City’s Official Plan.


As always, keeping our community safe and informed is at the heart of my work. I hope you’ll join us at the upcoming Community Safety Town Hall to hear directly from the teams working on these issues every day, and I look forward to sharing more updates as we prepare for the last North York Community Council meeting of the year. Thank you for staying engaged and for continuing to bring your questions, concerns, and ideas forward, it’s how we build a safer, stronger Don Valley North together.

 

 

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