Safe From Thieves?

 

The police can leave their bikes anywhere with little chance of them being stolen I think. They are probably now stored away for winter but are a common sight the rest of the year.

Taking part in Signs2. Click HERE to see more signs from around the world. 

Celebrate safely tonight! 

Blinky And Gus

Blinky the police car is used by our police force to visit schools and talk about safety. The car itself used to talk but I'm not sure if it still does. This pic was taken on Bloor St as the car waited to be part of the Santa Claus Parade and you can see Gus The Other Barber in the background. This barber shop has been on Bloor St for over 50 years now although it has slowly moved along the street a few blocks as rents go up. Its devoted clients just follow to the next location.
Taking part in Signs, Signs. Click HERE to see more signs from around the world.

Old Police Station

This Gothic Revival building was constructed in 1890 as the Ossington Avenue Police Station but now houses a day care centre. The building has heritage protection and looks as if it is being well maintained.

Old And New

This is a pic of the new 11th Division Police Station on Davenport Ave which opened in late 2011. The 100 year old Carleton Village Public School had been made redundant and was to be torn down to allow a new police station to be built on the property, but after much resistance by the local residents, the front part of the old school was retained and restored and a new structure added on to the back of it. The architects were Stantec Architects and they have made it very environmentally friendly with a green roof, etc. I hope to tour the building in a couple of weeks during Toronto's Doors Open event but thought I had better get a pic before all the leaves come out on the many newly planted trees and block the view.

A Work in 3 Places Part 3

The final destination. A bronze policewoman in full uniform is using a trowel to cement the blocks, which the worker from part 1 has carried to the site, into place to form a base for the obelisk which the little boy is bringing on his wagon. Interesting concept but I am not sure how many people actually view the 3 sculptures as 1 piece as they are a bit spread out around the block!

A Work in 3 Places Part 2

Just along the street from yesterday's sculpture you will find this piece consisting of a little bronze boy pulling a wagon with a 21 ft high, stone obelisk on it. He too is heading towards Toronto Police Headquarters. The obelisk has the words "To Serve And Protect" chiseled into it - the motto of the Toronto Police. I have done a 2 part pic since there is such a scale difference between the boy and the obelisk!

A Work in 3 Places

This pic is one of 3 sculptures related to each other but at 3 distinct sites around Toronto Police Headquarters on College St. Installed in 1988 and designed by Toronto artist Eldon Garnet, this life-size bronze figure of a construction worker is carrying 2 large books and granite blocks towards a site which will be revealed in 2 days as I post the other parts of this work. Hope you aren't too confused!

Toronto Police Mounted Unit

The Toronto Police force has a mounted unit of 24 beautiful horses and 35 officers which works out of the C.N.E, (Canadian National Exhibition) stables right down by the lakeshore. The unit was started in the 1800s and is quite active in crowd control, searches, and regular police work. All these cops on the horses seem to be really friendly and this guy gladly stopped and posed for me last week on a blistering hot day down in Liberty Village.