TTC hires more outreach workers after ditching plan for extra police officers
The City of Toronto and TTC are officially partnering with a community services organization to deploy more outreach workers on the transit system, just a few days after announcing that they would no longer deploy overtime police officers to monitor safety throughout the network.
The one-year partnership with community well-being experts at LOFT (Leap of Faith Together) Community Services aims to address the needs of vulnerable people sheltering on the TTC.
The program expands on the City-funded M-DOT service and will support people needing more complex and longer-term assistance.
It also aims to ensure vulnerable individuals receive the health and social support they need after crisis de-escalation and emergency response are complete.
"There is an unprecedented need for increased services geared to individuals with complex needs who are using the TTC for shelter and warmth," the news release reads.
Toronto Police stop sending additional overtime cops to patrol TTC https://t.co/Ylnlk7HwgO #Toronto #TorontoPolice #TTC
— blogTO (@blogTO) March 13, 2023
Starting this month, LOFT staff will be deployed throughout the transit system to connect vulnerable people with the physical and mental health support they may need.
Through this partnership, the City expects to help an additional 80 to 100 people experiencing homelessness on the transit system access one-on-one support, navigate the health and justice system, and receive tailored referrals to addiction health care providers.
Back in January, the City announced the deployment of additional Streets to Homes and Community Safety Ambassador teams, and has since referred over 200 people from the TTC to shelters.
City of Toronto, TTC strengthen transit system outreach efforts with new partnership providing more health and mental health supports to vulnerable people
— City of Toronto (@cityoftoronto) March 22, 2023
News release: https://t.co/JCWaKXEyxj
Additional measures being introduced this month include 20 Streets to Homes workers and 20 Community Safety Ambassadors to address the immediate needs of people experiencing homelessness.
In addition, 50 security guards trained in mental health first aid, overdose prevention, and nonviolent intervention will be added to assist people in crisis. TTC Chief and Mobile supervisors will also receive de-escalation training.
In January, the TTC announced that it would introduce an increased presence of overtime officers throughout the city's transit system daily.
The plan, which aimed to have 80 police officers in place throughout the TTC every day, was heavily criticized for presenting a "quick fix" in place of greater solutions needed for mental healthcare and reduction services.
Earlier in March, TPS announced that it would no longer deploy additional cops in an overtime capacity, and only on-duty officers would be sent to patrol the transit going forward.
