Toronto police and mayor outline safety plans for upcoming Jewish High Holy Days - National Post

Holy Blossom Temple Synagogue, located at 1950 Bathurst St., in Toronto, on July 25, 2025. Photo by Peter J. Thompson /National PostArticle contentToronto Chief of Police Myron Demkiw and Mayor Olivia Chow have provided an update on safety plans for the Jewish High Holy Days, with the police chief outlining a host of measures that will be in place this year.

In a press conference Tuesday afternoon at Toronto Police Headquarters, Demkiw said the Toronto police would have “an increased presence, both visible and covert, in strategic areas to help keep people safe.”

This includes embedding Toronto police officers with the Jewish Security Network, an independent, professional agency launched in 2024 by the United Jewish Appeal of Greater Toronto. There will also be command posts set up, including one at Bathurst and Sheppard.

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Task Force Guardian, which was launched in the spring, will also be deployed, adding officers with specialized tactical training and access to patrol rifles.

“We have seen an alarming increase in hate-motivated incidents targeting the Jewish communities in Toronto and indeed in cities around the world,” Demkiw said.

He added that, since Oct. 7, 2023, Toronto police have made 573 arrests and laid 1,398 charges “in connection with demonstrations, protests and hate-motivated offences.”

After the High Holy Days, he continued, “we will maintain an enhanced presence throughout the anniversary of the October 7 terrorist attacks, to help ensure the safety of our communities.”

In her remarks, Chow said: “Jewish Torontonians should not need police presence to go to a synagogue or a community centre or simply to live proudly Jewish in our city. But they do.”

She continued: “In this moment of emboldened antisemitism, Jews, Jewish institutions and even Jewish neighbourhoods are being targeted. It is despicable.”