TORONTO, Ont. – City Hall is offering training on how to deal with reporters to the Scarborough community rocked by a mass shooting last week.

The move comes after some residents of Danzig Street complained about how they were being portrayed in the news.
       
The decision is being met with mixed reaction.
 
Councillor Denzil Minnen-Wong said teaching people how to talk to reporters is not a City of Toronto service.

“I think it’s outrageous. I think taxpayers should be offended that their tax dollars are going to teach people how to spin the truth,” he explained.

Minnen-Wong said that, if anything, unfiltered messages from Danzig residents needs to be heard.

“If the public does not know what’s really going on in that community  how can we go about addressing any problems that are there.”

Councillor Josh Matlow says if the city training gives residents some comfort after a tragedy, what’s the big deal?

“This has been a devastating time for this community and the last thing that politicians or members of the media should be doing is giving these folks a hard time,” said Matlow.

Danzig residents requested the training after reporters descended on the neighbourhood after the mass shooting that left two people dead and 23 others wounded.

The media seminar is one of several services the city is providing the community.