Toronto Police are announcing the increase of officers on the TTC(Toronto Transit Commission), including subway stops, trains and buses. 

The announcement comes as the city grips with more random attacks against residents and TTC staff. 

“These deployments will focus on reducing victimization, preventing crimes of opportunity and enhancing public safety,” said Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw. “Given this, our deployments will be dynamic and may change from day-to-day. However, our officers will be on, in, and around the transit system, across the city, throughout the day and late into the evening each and every day.”

Since November, there has been an uptick in unprovoked assaults on the trains, buses and streetcars. 

More recently, a woman was stabbed on the Spadina streetcar and a 16-year-old boy on a TTC bus outside Old Mill Station. 

Demkiw said the aim is to have more than 80 police officers in place throughout the city’s transit locations on a daily basis.

The positions will be filled by off-duty officers in an overtime capacity. 

The announcement is also in the midst of the pending increased police budget getting its approval. The budget is at $1.6 billion this year, up from $1.2 billion in 2022. 

Advocate groups including the No Pride in Policing Coalition are calling for alternatives to more policing in public, and more funding should go towards social services like housing and mental health services. 

More details to come. 

Listen to CJRU's coverage of the increased police presence on the TTC: