Break and enter tips

From the Toronto Police, tips for protecting your home:

• Report any suspicious activity you see happening around your home or business to the police, at 416-808-2222 or Crime Stoppers at 416-222-8477 (TIPS). If you see a crime being committed, call 911
• Lock all of your doors and windows before leaving for work or retiring for the night
• Lock your garage door
• Use your alarm system even if you are home for the night
• Leave outside lights on during the night and have interior lights on timers
• Make sure windows and doors are not blocked by overgrown shrubs
• Install good quality deadbolt locks on all exterior doors
• Lock up extension ladders
• Put all garden utensils away so that they cannot be used as break-in instruments
• When buying high value items such as TVs, computers etc., cut up and turn their boxes inside out before you through them into the garbage or recycle
• Let your neighbours know if you are going away on vacation and suspend mail and newspaper delivery during your absence
• Do not leave your car keys by the front door or in the kitchen

Police and Moore Park

Moore Park is located in 53 Division, an area bounded by Lawrence Avenue, the Don River, Bloor Street, and Spadina and Bathurst Streets.

The Division’s offices are located at 75 Eglinton Ave. W.

If you need to speak with the Toronto Police, please use the following phone numbers.
Non-emergency calls: 416-808-2222
Emergency: 911 (crimes in progress)
53 Division: 416-808-5300
Parking: 416-808-6675

Historic Moore Park

In 1984, under the editorial leadership of Donna Baker, the Moore Park Residents’ Association published a “walking tour” history of the neighbourhood. Updated in 2004 by editor Beth Marley and her committee to include additional anecdotal history of Moore Park, photographs and other relevant findings, the monograph has been very well received by the community. In fact, it has been nominated for a 2005 “Heritage Toronto Award.”

Please email us (membership@moorepark.org) to purchase your own copy of Historic Moore Park.

Community contacts

City Council Councillor Kyle Rae
T. 416.392.7903 F. 416.696.3430
Email:councillor_rae@toronto.ca
City Hall, 2nd Floor
100 Queen St. West
Toronto, ON M5H 2N2

Parking Enforcement and Police Services
Michael Wong
Unit Area Supervisor
T. 416.808.6675

Toronto Police Services
T. 416.808.2222

School Board Trustees
Sheila Ward
Toronto District School Board Public Trustee
5050 Yonge Street M2N 5N8
T. 416.397-2572
sheila.ward@tdsb.on.ca

Catherine LeBlanc Miller
Separate School Trustee
Toronto Catholic District School Board
80 Sheppard Avenue East
M2N 6E8
T. & F. 416.512.3411
catherine.lebland-miller@tdsb.org

Political Representatives
Federal: Hon. Bill Graham
T. 416.954.2222
F. 416.954.9649
grahab8@parl.ghc.ca
365 Bloor Street East, Suite 1805
M4W 3L4

Provincial: Hon. George Smitherman
T. 416.327.4300
F. 415.326.1571
george.smitherman@moh.gov.on.

Provincial - Community Action: Wendy Ground
T. 416.972.7683
F. 416.972.7686
120 Carlton Street, Suite 413
M5A 4K2

About the Moore Park Residents' Association

The Moore Park Residents’ Association is the ratepayers/neighbourhood association charged with “identifying, advocating and acting on neighbourhood concerns in order to enhance Moore Park.” A non-profit, volunteer-powered organization, the MPRA has been in existence for decades, addressing and leading issues that range from trees to traffic, from development to safety.

The MPRA communicates with the community via three newsletters each year and via this website. Its Annual General Meeting takes place in the neighbourhood and is a forum for information and discussion. Engaged with Moore Park’s political representatives and municipal, provincial and federal staff, the MPRA is a conduit for two-way communication between the community and such parties.

The MPRA is a member of The Federation of North Toronto Residents’ Associations (FONTRA) and takes stands on issues that directly affect the quality of life in Moore Park and in Toronto as a whole. It does not arbitrate in disputes between neighbours, per se, but may try to facilitate areas of disagreement by highlighting resources and process for neighbours with differing views. The Association is non-partisan and is not affiliated with any political party.

There is a role for members of the community both on the board and in the work done by various committees that report to the board.

General Accountabilities of The Board

Members of the MPRA Board of Directors must support the mission of the MPRA, which lies in “identifying, advocating and acting on neighbourhood concerns in order to enhance Moore Park.” More technically, Members of the MPRA Board are to serve the community of Moore Park and the Board per guidelines set out in the Association’s By-Laws. For example, directors must be resident in Moore Park, must not be un-discharged bankrupts and must not have criminal records.

In principle, the Board is structured to have representatives from all four geographic quadrants of Moore Park. Board recruitment policy also aims to match individual skill sets with the needs of the Board’s various portfolios.

The Board usually meets monthly, with the exception of July and August, in addition to the Annual General Meeting. Between meetings, which take place in the homes of MPRA Directors, business is conducted via e-mail and telephone.

Expectations of MPRA Board Members

* To attend a majority of board meetings
* To reply promptly to e-mail business
* To maintain good standing as a member of the Association (by paying annual dues, currently of $25)
* To help recruit new members to the Association
* To act as liaison between Moore Park residents and the Board
* To, as possible, help deliver newsletters and other communications to neighbours
* To take either a leadership or supporting role with at least one of the Board’s portfolios or projects, including: Trees, Pests and Pesticides, Zoning and Planning, Newsletter production, Web Site development and maintenance, Traffic, Membership and Moorevale Park

Governance

Each Director is appointed for a term of two years, with half the board retiring (notionally) in alternating years. In practice, many Directors serve multiple terms.
The board consists of 20 Directors and is chaired by a President. Other executive members include a Vice-President, Past-President and Treasurer. It has been usual practice for the President to serve one two-year term.

Qualifications of Board Members

Most portfolios do not require defined technical expertise. Ideally, the Board roster will include at least one CA, lawyer and city planner. The greatest qualification consists of a passion for the neighbourhood that goes beyond self-interest and issue-specific motives, combined with a willingness to contribute, in a meaningful way, to the work of the MPRA.