Police investigating ‘hate-motivated’ threat involving Pride weekend
Posted June 29, 2013 1:14 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Police are actively investigating “a hate-motivated occurrence” related to Pride weekend just as festivities have begun to kick into high gear.
Police have not revealed details of what that occurrence was however, CityNews can confirm they are in possession of a letter sent to our newsroom and at least one other media organization that threatens Pride parade participants and Premier Kathleen Wynne.
A “public safety alert” on the matter was issued by Toronto Police Friday afternoon.
As for their investigation, police say it now is part of their security assessment for this weekend’s events — something they do for any major event.
They have also beefed up security for Wynne, the first openly gay premier of Ontario.
As soon as CityNews read the letter, management called police, who quickly notified the premier’s security team and took the letter for forensic testing. A return address on the letter led police to an east end-home, but it turned out to be a false lead.
“Public safety is the highest priority for us,” Kevin Beaulieu, the executive director of Toronto Pride, told CityNews. He said there are more than 1,200 volunteers for the event who are trained on making sure everybody is safe.
He said that this was the first time he can recall a public safety alert has been issued ahead of a Pride event.
If you see anything suspicious involving this weekend’s Pride events, call police at (416) 808-2222, or call 911 in an emergency situation.
