Muhammad Amanullah
September 9, 2026
Toronto police have announced heightened security measures across the city ahead of Jewish religious holidays, as the Jewish community prepares to observe Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw said additional police officers would be deployed at synagogues, community centres and other locations where large gatherings are expected during the religious holidays.
Rise in Hate-Motivated Incidents
Speaking at a press conference, Chief Demkiw said there has been a concerning increase in hate-motivated incidents targeting the Jewish community in Toronto and other cities around the world.
He said Toronto police had developed several plans and strategies and were deploying additional resources to provide maximum protection to people attending religious gatherings.
Additional Officers at Places of Worship
Demkiw said officers would be present at synagogues, community gathering sites and areas where large numbers of people are expected to gather during the holidays.
The increased police presence is intended to allow authorities to respond quickly to any potential threat while helping residents feel safe during religious observances.
Command Posts to Be Established
Toronto police will also establish command posts at strategic locations across the city. Chief Demkiw specifically mentioned a command post in the Bathurst and Sheppard area.
The command posts will support coordination, monitoring and rapid responses to any emergency situation.
Task Force Guardian Activated
As part of the enhanced security measures, Task Force Guardian will also be deployed. According to the police chief, the force includes officers with specialised tactical training and capabilities.
The officers will have access to specialised security equipment when required, including rifles used for patrol operations.
Background of Previous Attacks
The increased security comes after several incidents targeting Jewish places of worship and Jewish-owned businesses in the Toronto area this year.
In March, three synagogues were targeted in separate shooting incidents over the course of approximately one week, raising concerns within the community.
Jewish Businesses Also Targeted
In July, two locations of Jewish-owned Kiva’s Bagel Bar were also targeted during overnight incidents involving vandalism and gunfire.
These incidents highlighted the need for additional measures by police and local authorities to protect members of the Jewish community.
Mayor Olivia Chow’s Statement
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow also attended the press conference alongside Chief Demkiw and described the rise in antisemitic incidents across the city as unacceptable.
She said police would maintain a more visible presence across different communities to help ensure that residents feel safe.
Grants for Religious Institutions
Chow said the city administration had introduced security grants for religious institutions. The grants are intended to help places of worship and other religious organisations improve their security measures.
She also said large-scale public awareness campaigns had been launched to combat hate and prejudice against different communities.
Security Measures for Rosh Hashanah
The enhanced Toronto police presence will remain in place during Rosh Hashanah, particularly from September 11 to 13, when members of the Jewish community are expected to attend religious services and other events.
Police said the security arrangements were designed with the safety of people attending religious gatherings in mind.
Deployment to Continue Through October 7 Anniversary
According to police, the additional deployment will not end with Rosh Hashanah. The measures are expected to continue through the anniversary of the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack.
During this period, police will continue monitoring synagogues, community centres and other sensitive locations.
Officials Send Clear Message
Toronto police and city officials have made clear that hate-motivated or violent incidents will not be tolerated during the religious holidays.
Through additional officers, command posts, specialised task forces and security grants, authorities are seeking to provide a safe environment for the Jewish community.
Officials said the primary goal of the enhanced security measures is to allow residents to observe their religious traditions freely while ensuring that authorities can respond promptly to any potential threat.
