Members of the Focused Neighbourhood TAVIS Deployment (FNTD), sent to the east-end neighbourhood to prevent violence traditionally associated to the summer months and develop relationships with residents, planted a garden this week. TAVIS (Toronto Anti-Violence Intervention Strategy) is an ongoing program to deploy officers to communities victimized by crime and disorder.

Teaming up with local company Earth Inc., community members and kids from the Dixon Hall day camp, the FNTD officers planted a garden outside 14 Blevins Place – the only building to remain after Regent Park is redeveloped.

“Our work here has been all about creating partnerships with local businesses, community members and young people,” said FNTD Sgt. John Spanton. “This project is a great example of those partnerships.”
Working alongside neighbourhood kids and receiving kind words and encouragement by passers-by was a great way to cap a summer his officers have spent walking the beat in the Park.

“We wanted to put something in the neighbourhood that would last and people can take pride in,” said Spanton.

Supt. Kim Greenwood and Toronto Police Services Board vice-chair city councillor Pam McConnnell opened the garden Aug. 22 with the help of kids who worked on the garden.

“It’s up to all of us to make a difference,” said Greenwood. “We’ve made a difference in this community this summer.”

Officers approached Earth Inc. after getting a $3,000 grant for the city to beautify the neighbourhood. The company then kicked in its support, along with sponsors who donated supplies and plants worth $30,000.

Const. Ben Drury planted the initial seed with Earth Inc. co-owner James Dale, who led the project.

“There are so many businesses and great people in the community – we’re just building on that,” said Drury.

“The kids had a great time, we got smiles from people walking by and the officers learned a lot about gardening,” said Drury, showing off dirt still embedded in his newfound green thumb.

He said the garden is not the only noticeable difference in the neighbourhood, as more and more residents are using parks during the evening hours, since officers rousted thugs from taking up their usual perches.

“It has increased the number of families out here in the parks at night,” said Drury, noting a nine-year-old girl came up to an officer to thank him for getting rid of the “big kids” hanging out in her playground.
“When people don’t feel safe, they don’t come out,” Drury said. “People were coming from outside the neighbourhood causing trouble – we let them know they’re not welcome here.”

FNTD officers deployed in 31 Division in the Jane St. and Finch Ave. W. area have also taken on a similar neighbourhood beautification initiative. After planting a small garden last month, the city has now granted a $180,000 makeover for the area.