Growing frustration is mounting among Toronto residents over what many perceive as inconsistent application of city rules and selective enforcement that appears to target ordinary citizens while overlooking more serious violations.
Snowplow Incident Investigation
The City of Toronto has launched an investigation into why a city-contracted snow removal tractor drove through a crowd of pro-Palestinian protesters on a sidewalk during a practice snow run on Tuesday evening. However, the city is not investigating why some of those same protesters blocked and hit the tractor with protest signs during the incident.
Russell Baker, director of Media Relations and Issues Management for the City of Toronto, stated that the behavior displayed by the contractor was completely unacceptable and falls short of city standards. We have launched an immediate and comprehensive investigation and will ensure steps are taken to help prevent anything like this from happening again, Baker said in an official statement.
Despite the city's response, Toronto Police have already reviewed the incident and determined no crime occurred. Toronto Police spokesperson Stephanie Sayer confirmed that police do not believe there was any criminal intent and noted that no victims or complainants have come forward to make a formal report.
National Anthem Controversy
The snowplow incident follows another controversial enforcement action where police turned off a man's boombox playing O Canada at Nathan Phillips Square while often turning a blind eye to people using similar amplification for other purposes.
The Toronto Police Association defended the officer involved, stating she was merely following orders to enforce a ban on amplification devices at the city event. Questions about these decisions should be directed at the chief and his command, the TPA said in a social media post.
However, Chief Myron Demkiw's spokesperson countered that officers were simply enforcing rules set by the city for its event. The officers understood their authorities and enforced them appropriately, Sayer stated. They were doing their jobs, and they did so professionally.
Residents Face Bylaw Enforcement
Meanwhile, Toronto residents are receiving notices to remove basketball and hockey nets from public boulevards while drug-related activities and encampments in parks often go unaddressed. Several Scarborough homeowners received Notice of Violation paperwork giving them three days to move their children's sports equipment.
One resident commented on the city's misplaced priorities, noting that while children's basketball nets draw immediate enforcement action, repeated complaints about illegal garbage dumping in neighborhoods go unaddressed. The City is looking trashy, dirty and it's getting worse, the resident wrote. We need people back at the city who care!
Another resident shared a disturbing account of being threatened with charges after apprehending a suspected burglar who had an all points bulletin for multiple break-ins. The police don't care and the lawyers and judges of this country don't take it on unless they can get something, the resident stated.
Calls for Common Sense Approach
The pattern of selective enforcement has left many Torontonians questioning the city's priorities and calling for a more balanced approach. A retired 30-year detective-sergeant from Toronto Police expressed concern about the direction the city is taking.
We are steadily losing our culture and our country to this rabble, the retired officer wrote, referring to what he saw as unequal treatment of different groups during protests.
Many residents are simply asking for consistent application of rules and common sense solutions. What is needed is some common sense, the article concludes. Treat everybody equally. No one is more important than anyone else. Selective enforcement is not working and people are getting tired of it.
