By Sean Delaney
The sound of children laughing carried across 31 Division as families climbed into police vehicles, met officers and explored a day built around community connection. From a vintage police cruiser and motorcycles to mounted officers, a bouncy castle and music from DJ Rob, the August 15 open house turned the division into one of the liveliest gathering places in northwest Toronto.
Young visitors tried on a vintage police hat, posed behind the wheel of motorcycles and watched demonstrations of equipment used by today’s officers. A police drone drew particular interest as officers explained how the technology can help locate people and monitor situations from above. Six bicycles were raffled during the afternoon, adding another surge of excitement for families.
The event also introduced residents to the broader network behind public safety. Court Services and Parking Enforcement were represented, while neighbourhood and auxiliary officers spent the day answering questions. Crime Prevention Officer Deanne Taylor joined retired 31 Division employee Linda for a photograph between members of the Mounted Unit—a fitting picture of the relationships that continue long after a uniform is hung up.
Superintendent Jack Gurr, 31 Division’s unit commander, thanked residents for their support and emphasized that policing works best as a partnership. He pointed to the everyday work of officers, along with youth programs and neighbourhood initiatives designed to build trust before a crisis occurs. Staff Sergeant Allistair James delivered a similar message while introducing the Neighbourhood Community Officer program: officers spend much of each day in the area and consider themselves part of the community they serve.
Gurr also announced an important safety option for people arranging purchases or sales through online marketplaces. Residents can complete those exchanges in the lobby of 31 Division, letting the front desk know why they are there. The visible police setting offers a safer alternative to meeting an unknown buyer or seller on a street corner or in an unfamiliar location.
Mayor Olivia Chow joined the celebration and credited partnerships between police, residents and community organizations with helping Toronto become safer. She highlighted declining crime, investments in new officers and emergency call-takers, and programs that give young people positive opportunities. The mayor said those improvements ultimately represent lives protected and residents feeling more secure.
The formal program also celebrated young bursary recipients and recognized Sandra Farina with the 31 Division Community Champion Award. Farina’s award will be featured separately on page 3. CPLC civilian co-chair Mark Tenaglia and committee members Lily Wong and Brigette Contento were among those thanked for the many hours they devote to community engagement.
Local partners helped keep the afternoon moving. MP Judy Sgro’s team served popcorn and freezies, while the Emery Village BIA shared its distinctive Emery hats and community information. Contento was among the volunteers working through a busy barbecue service, and the event welcomed Mayor Chow, Sgro, MP Roman Baber, MPP Tom Rakocevic, Councillor Anthony Perruzza and school board trustee Ida Li Preti.
Throughout the grounds, the strongest moments were often the simplest: an officer crouching to speak with a child, a family asking questions at a display, or neighbours stopping to reconnect. Those exchanges gave residents a chance to see the people behind the uniforms and gave officers an opportunity to listen outside the urgency of a service call.
Communications lead Samia Singh, the officers, CPLC members, sponsors and volunteers helped create a day that felt less like a tour of a police station and more like a neighbourhood reunion. The open house showed public safety in its widest sense: technology and enforcement, certainly, but also familiarity, prevention and people knowing they can work together.
