Little Portugal Toronto BIA Calls for Provincial Action on Neighbourhood Safety Concerns
The Little Portugal Toronto BIA has written to Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Minister of Health Sylvia Jones to raise growing safety and public-space concerns along Dundas Street West.
For more than four months, local businesses have reported increasing incidents of open drug use and dealing, loitering, aggressive behaviour, blocked storefronts, discarded drug paraphernalia, theft and property crime, and frequent emergency responses.
The BIA recognizes the importance of compassionate, evidence-based addiction and harm-reduction services. However, members are concerned that when appropriate services and supports are not sufficiently available, the impacts are being displaced into public spaces, affecting businesses, employees, residents, visitors and people experiencing addiction or homelessness.
The BIA is calling for a coordinated provincial response, including increased access to supervised harm-reduction services, addiction treatment, mental-health supports, withdrawal management and supportive housing.
The BIA has also invited Premier Ford and Minister Jones to visit Little Portugal Toronto and see the challenges firsthand.