Mayor Ford hints at hiring personal security for public events

VIDEO: Mayor Rob Ford is hinting at hiring personal security after a woman tossed a drink at him during a street festival over the weekend. Mark Carcasole reports. 

TORONTO – Mayor Rob Ford is contemplating hiring his own security detail after a woman allegedly threw a drink at him during an Italian street festival on the weekend.

Twenty-seven-year-old Shannon Everett faces an assault charge and is scheduled to appear in court on July 23 to face the allegation.

Although both the mayor and his brother praised police on his weekly radio show on Sunday, they both said it might not be enough, especially at public events.

“They do it all the time for me. But you know what, it’s time to get my own security guys,” said Mayor Ford.

But the mayor’s brother, Councillor Doug Ford, said on Monday that his brother could utilize a division of Toronto Police which protects visiting dignitaries.

“There’s a whole department that takes care of dignitaries when they come into our city for protection at event be it the premier, prime minister or the mayor,” Councillor Ford said. “So he’s not taking a police officer off the streets. It would be a few hours for any event that he goes to.”

In the past, Ford has resisted taking on security guards or his own driver in an attempt to save money.

WATCH: Councillor Doug Ford thinks it would be a good idea for Mayor Rob Ford to have a body guard.

And Councillor Sarah Doucette said an entire security team might be overkill but suggested the mayor might benefit from hiring a combined driver, security guard.

“I think it might be overkill in this city. Torontonians are very friendly people, yes they make their opinions head. I think we’re safe in this city. So I think a security team is overdoing it,” she said.

Chris Menary, a Canadian security expert, said in an interview that it is time the mayor “step up” and hire private security.

All levels of government do have their own security and protection detail whether its police or private security but I think it’s time that Rob step up to the plate,” Menary said. “He is a public figurehead and everything that’s gone on right now also increases his vulnerability.”

Ford has been on the hot seat for weeks over media reports of an alleged video that appears to show him smoking crack cocaine, which he has denied using.

Menary said that the mayor would need at least two security agents: one to be with the mayor during business hours and another to pre-screen locations where the mayor may be going.

-With files from The Canadian Press