Toronto councillor wants parking officers to crack down on speeding, have arrest powers

Toronto’s parking enforcement officers could have the ability to issue speeding tickets and other police-like powers if an Etobicoke councillor has his way, but the city’s police services board has yet to consider the request.

City council approved a motion by councillor John Campbell in July asking for the Toronto Police Services Board to consider petitioning the province to change the law in order for parking enforcement officers to conduct speed enforcement as well as have powers to require drivers to show their licences, seize vehicles, suspend licences and place people under arrest.

“We have this group of people who are out there, who are enforcing parking and my thinking was they could be trained and equipped to, in addition to issuing parking tickets, monitor speeds and setup speed traps on local roads,” Campbell told Global News.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up

By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

READ MORE: OPP report increase in number of traffic charges laid over Labour Day weekend

The motion was approved as a part of the city’s 2017-2021 road safety plan.

“Drivers are driving too fast, they’re inattentive and anything that we can do to make them more aware of their surrounding and the posted speed limits on the local roads,” Campbell said, adding speeding is one of the top complaints he receives from residents.

“This is another tool in the arsenal to get people to pay attention.”

READ MORE: Officials look to raise fines for speeding on residential streets

Campbell raised the possibility of hiring additional parking enforcement officers to rotate throughout the city’s 44 wards so long as fines offset the cost of wages.

The move comes as the Toronto Police Service is in the middle of a modernization effort. According to an interim report, the service is considering alternative delivery models for parking enforcement to lower the operating costs.

A Toronto Police Services Board spokeswoman said the proposal hasn’t been reviewed by the board yet. Toronto police declined to comment on the idea.