Enhancing Transit Safety: Collaborative Programs

The TTC has established partnerships with LOFT Community Services and Streets to Homes, to better respond to the needs of vulnerable people sheltering on the TTC.

Special Constables actively collaborate with LOFT through various initiatives, including joint programs aimed at fostering meaningful connections within the community. These efforts are designed to connect individuals facing challenges with the resources they need. This involves organizing specialized training sessions to enhance the community engagement skills of our Constables and equipping them with the tools needed for effective interaction. Additionally, community outreach events create spaces where vulnerable customers can access personalized support services.

Collaborating with LOFT's Multidisciplinary Outreach Team (M-DOT), Special Constables contribute to immediate support for vulnerable individuals. The addition of case workers, working alongside Special Constables, enhances efforts to address multifaceted challenges, including homelessness, mental health issues, and physical health challenges. Special Constables, trained in de-escalation, ensure a secure and supportive environment within the transit system.

Together with Streets to Homes, a division of the City of Toronto committed to outreach and assistance for displaced individuals, our Special Constables work to connect people with essential services. Whether it involves identifying immediate needs, facilitating access to shelter, or connecting individuals with the appropriate support systems.

SafeTO and Special Constable Service: As part of SafeTO, our unit contributes to a community safety and well-being plan. Active participation in various working groups further strengthens community safety efforts.

Transit Safety Education: Our Community Engagement Unit collaborates with community partners including the Toronto and Catholic District School Boards, to educate students on transit Safety. The tailored presentations for different age groups demonstrates a thoughtful approach to ensuring safe transit experience for students.

Our Community Engagement Unit also attend FOCUS Toronto. A table, which brings together community agencies for a weekly situation-table to provide a wrap-around approach to the most vulnerable individuals who are at higher risks.  These partnerships compliment work underway with the City of Toronto that has seen an increase of the following:

• 20 Community Safety Ambassadors bolstering the work of Streets to Homes teams in addressing immediate needs of individuals experiencing homelessness
• 50 security guards trained in first aid, overdose prevention and de-escalation. They provide high visibility and observe and report incidents
• De-escalation training for all TTC Chief and Mobile supervisors and scheduling adjustments to ensure these specialized skills are where they are needed most.