When the Information and Privacy Commissioner for Ontario published its guidelines for the use of video surveillance cameras in public places back in October 2001 [.PDF], it summarized that institutions considering their use "must balance the benefits of video surveillance to the public against an individual’s right to be free of unwarranted intrusion into his or her life. Pervasive, routine and random surveillance of ordinary, lawful public activities interferes with an individual’s privacy." As......

Their hulking frames are sure to strike fear into parking offenders everywhere—the new Toronto Police Services' smart fortwo! As part of a pilot project which also includes two Honda Civic hybrids, the two diesel-powered smarts [sic] are an initiative that uses vehicles that are not only more environmentally-friendly, but easier to park and navigate. The program began last month and the TPS has also been testing roof-mounted infrared cameras for parking enforcement, which will......

There are things that go on in this city at night that are far weirder than the leather-clad teenagers on Queen West. Did you know that vampires stalk High Park? Or that Toronto Police Services crossed into another dimension to investigate a suspicious death? No? Then you should check out Karen Bennett’s Fantastic Toronto project. Cory Doctorow on Boing Boing drew our attention to Bennett's labour of love. Bennett, a writer, photographer, panelist, and......

If you remember the "handing over" of Iraq to Iraqi authorities by the US-led coalition a few seasons ago, you may recall that, in order to prevent terrorist attacks, the ceremony was performed a day early. Yup, W, you sure pulled a fast one on them. Well, we couldn't help but draw the mental parallel between that auspicious day and the rolling-out of new police cameras three days ahead of schedule, perhaps to zigzag......

Whether public surveillance cams make you feel all safe n’ cosy, or whether you find them an egregious infringement on your right to litter, tag, and engage in other anti-social behaviour, the Toronto Police Services Board wants to talk to you about it. As many readers will recall, the TPSB recently ended a month long test of closed circuit cameras on Yonge near Dundas, and have said that the cameras are proving helpful in the......

We're experimenting with a new daily photo posting. Each weekday morning, we'll pick a recent image from the Torontoist Flickr Pool and feature it here on the site. It's our way to give the many excellent photographers in our pool the attention they deserve! We laughed and laughed at first sighting of Torontogal's candid street image -- our city's finest checking parking tickets on horseback. It's such an awesome capture. It contains all the elements......

It appears that most members of the Liberal caucus will support Stephen Harper’s resolution that Quebec be considered a “nation” within Canada. Toronto Police Services Board chairman Dr. Alok Mukherjee now wants to hold a public inquiry into possible cases of corruption, cover-ups and general nasty stuff by members of the Toronto police department. This should come as no surprise: The day after it was announced October was the deadliest month in the history of......

If you're even a casual viewer of Cops, you'll know how spectacular a TASER takedown can be. Looking straight out of a Star Wars flick, this bug-zapper-for-people sends a whole whack of electricity into the body, disrupting muscular and nervous function and rendering the target helpless. The charge is meant to be non-lethal, and the various incarnations of the weapon have been widely adopted by police forces who enthusiastically hail their effectiveness. The Toronto Police......

Not only did the Toronto Police Services Board unanimously approve a decision to hire 150 new officers, but they also accepted a decision to force all officers, including big chief Blair, to wear name tags. Somehow, the nametags will cost $142,000. Perhaps they are made of gold, to give the officers a bit of style. If they're going to cost this much though, then TOist suggests they opt for those hoop earrings for the ladies,......

TOist had the opportunity to visit the Lost Articles Office at the TTC a few weeks ago. It's a vast repository for things lost and unloved, where the finds range from the mundane (hundreds of pairs of gloves) to the magnificent (a super vintage apple laptop, similar to the ones presently starring in Bruce Mau's massive change). But while the TTC formerly offloaded the unclaimed items with bi-annual sales, they're now, like much of the......

Though "clean and beautiful" sounds like a soft-focus Dove campaign, it's actually the mayor's pet name for one of his biggest budget allocations this year - pretty parks and services. Almost 1/3 of the city's new spending monies will go towards fresh-cut urban lawns. Some people think the mayor done good, others think the mayor spent too much. But best is the Globe's description of supporter Kyle Rae's actions: 'Yesterday, in keen delight, Mr.......