Catch da Flava On-Line

 By Fred Alvarado Fred is a community journalist with FOCUS MEDIA ARTS CENTRE The approval of the 2024 Budget by Toronto's City Council holds particular importance for communities like Regent Park. The additional funding allocated for community safety, violence prevention, wellbeing programs, and essential housing support initiatives underscores the council's commitment to addressing the diverse needs and challenges faced by residents in Regent Park and ensuring their overall welfare and security. Toronto's City Council has approved the largest property tax increase in over 25 years, including a substantial $20 million surge in the police budget. At a special session convened on Wednesday February 14th, 2024 council members endorsed a 9.5% residential property tax hike, a measure championed by Mayor Olivia Chow. Defending the increase, Chow emphasized its affordability, assuring citizens that programs for tax deferral and cancellation would be available to assist those faci

For the past 11 years, Toronto has embraced a transformative approach to policing through its Neighbourhood Officer program, inspired by the successful model pioneered in Regent Park. At the heart of this initiative are officers like Kumar Shanmuganathat, who has dedicated the last three years to serving as a neighbourhood officer in St. Jamestown. Through his insights and experiences, viewers gain a deeper understanding of the program's impact and significance. What sets Neighbourhood Officers apart from their counterparts in the police force is their unparalleled dedication to community engagement. Unlike regular police officers, Neighbourhood Officers prioritize spending extensive time interacting with residents. This hands-on approach fosters a profound understanding of the unique challenges and concerns present within the neighbourhood. One of the hallmarks of the Neighbourhood Officer program is its emphasis on post-incident follow-up. Kumar highlights the importance of this