Whether you are a soccer player, jogger, dog walker or regular visitor to the playground, Eglinton Park is a highly valued space to Ward 16 residents. It is a serious issue, then, when residents contact me to express concern about unwelcome activities. A recent walk-through with Toronto Police Service confirmed what I was hearing about: drug dealing and petty theft.
In response, 53 Division has increased their patrolling of Eglinton Park. A visible presence of police disrupts drug-dealing activities and discourages related problems, such as loitering, disorderly conduct, theft or vandalism. The police welcome your help with their efforts. If you see suspicious activities, take note and contact either 53 Division or e-mail my office. Be mindful of where in the park the activities are taking place, the time of day and anything else that might be helpful.
Parks and Recreation staff are also part of the effort. Responsible for park maintenance, they look after effective lighting of the park, monitoring buildings and taking care of the grounds to minimize sight obstructions. When residents are feeling uncomfortable in our public spaces, it is a natural reaction to simply move activities elsewhere. Keep in mind, though, it’s your park! Our collective presence makes it more difficult for drug dealers to do their business.
Please continue to enjoy the park but be mindful of the situation. Keep electronic devices out of view to discourage theft. Be observant of your surroundings. Report suspicious activities. Talk to kids about safety. Together, we can keep Eglinton Park a safe place for all park users.
