Latest news with #MandeepMann
CTV News
6 hours ago
- CTV News
‘Be mindful': Toronto police warn of organized thieves ahead of Pride weekend
Hundreds of cell phones were stolen on Pride weekend in Toronto last year, and a senior officer with the city's police force says he'd be surprised if the organized rings weren't going to be at it again this weekend. Chief Supt. Mandeep Mann told reporters on Thursday that 300 cell phones had been reported stolen—a major uptick from previous festivals—and that's a sign that thieves will see this weekend as another opportunity. 'We know that individuals are going to be out there looking to take advantage—I will be surprised if they don't,' Mann said as he addressed some of the security measures the service will be taking as one of the largest Pride festivals in the world gets underway. 'We're asking people to keep things tight, close to their body, in bags in front of them, in pockets, and just be aware and be mindful,' he said. Something similar happened to Mihael Adler when he and his family were visiting Mel Lastman Square for an Asian Heritage Month celebration in May. A relative put the new iPhone 16 down, and within moments, it was gone, Adler said. He followed its location to a few apartment buildings in North York, and then the phone showed up in a location he never expected. 'About four days ago, it pinged that it was in Vietnam,' he said. The international trade in phones is one way to escape phone blacklists and the remote locks and resets customers using Apple's iOS and Google's Android phones can put on them, said digital security expert Claudiu Popa. 'A lot of phones that would not function here in North America will function just fine on a different continent,' he said. Most times, thieves will try to take a phone while it's unlocked, because that means they can access the apps that can sometimes lead to an even bigger take. A Fox TV station in Minneapolis showed how thieves used banking apps on stolen phones to drain hundreds of thousands of dollars from their victims. And if they can't use the phone as a whole device, they can always break it into pieces, Popa said. 'Cellphones can also be taken apart to their core components, and they are worth a lot of money because screens, batteries, cameras, and chips have a ton of value,' he said. Reached as he walked down Church Street on Thursday, Anief Williams told CTV News he's had three phones stolen in the past year in public places, including libraries and subways. 'It's ridiculous man, it's not cool,' he said.
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Yahoo
Keep cellphones close, Toronto police say, after more than 300 were stolen at Pride last year
After over 300 cellphones were stolen at last year's Pride festivities, the Toronto Police Service is reminding attendees to keep their belongings within close proximity. At a news conference on Thursday morning, Chief Superintendent Mandeep Mann warned spectators and participants of the danger of theft. "It's festival season, people are out in large gatherings, outdoors, so, pickpocketers have the opportunity to get a little closer to people and take advantage of situations," he said. "Just be aware and be mindful." Mann said he would be "surprised" if organized retail theft rings were not planning to target Pride Toronto. "We have invested our capacities into that space and that is something we're actually looking into," he said. TPS urged individuals not to put their phones in their back pocket, and to stay alert and ensure their belongings are visible to them at all times, in a news release. At the news conference, investigators were asked about vehicle mitigation efforts in light of recent events. Eleven people were killed in April after the driver of a vehicle slammed into a crowd at a Vancouver street festival. In response, Mann said there would be barriers set up to protect the crowd, spectators and participants. "We've seen in places across the world, sadly, most recently what happened in Vancouver, where some disturbed individuals elect to drive their vehicles into large crowds," he said. "The barriers hopefully will prevent anyone from driving through and striking anyone over here." As of now, Mann said there are no threats targeting Pride festivities but that TPS, the city and event organizers would continue to monitor as the weekend rolls around. At the news conference, Mann reminded individuals who consume alcohol and other substances to be responsible while doing so and to take care of those around them. "If you need help, feel unsafe, or see something suspicious, please speak to one of our many uniformed officers," he said. The city will have increased police presence, especially in the village, he said. "While peaceful protest is protected under the Charter, we ask that it be exercised responsibly and respectfully, in a way that does not jeopardize the safety or enjoyment of others," he said. "Toronto's diversity is one of our greatest strengths and Pride is a celebration of that." There will also be a number of road closures across the city this weekend. On Sunday, parts of Church Street, Bloor Street W., Yonge Street, and Dundas Street W. will be closed from the morning until approximately 8 p.m. for the Pride parade. Other street closures will vary based on the day and time. For more information on those, visit the police's website.
CBC
12 hours ago
- CBC
Keep cellphones close, Toronto police say, after more than 300 were stolen at Pride last year
Social Sharing After over 300 cellphones were stolen at last year's Pride festivities, the Toronto Police Service is reminding attendees to keep their belongings within close proximity. At a news conference on Thursday morning, Chief Superintendent Mandeep Mann warned spectators and participants of the danger of theft. "It's festival season, people are out in large gatherings, outdoors, so, pickpocketers have the opportunity to get a little closer to people and take advantage of situations," he said. "Just be aware and be mindful." Mann said he would be "surprised" if organized retail theft rings were not planning to target Pride Toronto. "We have invested our capacities into that space and that is something we're actually looking into," he said. TPS urged individuals not to put their phones in their back pocket, and to stay alert and ensure their belongings are visible to them at all times, in a news release. Barriers in place At the news conference, investigators were asked about vehicle mitigation efforts in light of recent events. Eleven people were killed in April after the driver of a vehicle slammed into a crowd at a Vancouver street festival. In response, Mann said there would be barriers set up to protect the crowd, spectators and participants. "We've seen in places across the world, sadly, most recently what happened in Vancouver, where some disturbed individuals elect to drive their vehicles into large crowds," he said. "The barriers hopefully will prevent anyone from driving through and striking anyone over here." As of now, Mann said there are no threats targeting Pride festivities but that TPS, the city and event organizers would continue to monitor as the weekend rolls around. Other reminders At the news conference, Mann reminded individuals who consume alcohol and other substances to be responsible while doing so and to take care of those around them. "If you need help, feel unsafe, or see something suspicious, please speak to one of our many uniformed officers," he said. The city will have increased police presence, especially in the village, he said. "While peaceful protest is protected under the Charter, we ask that it be exercised responsibly and respectfully, in a way that does not jeopardize the safety or enjoyment of others," he said. "Toronto's diversity is one of our greatest strengths and Pride is a celebration of that." Road closures There will also be a number of road closures across the city this weekend. On Sunday, parts of Church Street, Bloor Street W., Yonge Street, and Dundas Street W. will be closed from the morning until approximately 8 p.m. for the Pride parade. Other street closures will vary based on the day and time. For more information on those, visit the police's website.
