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Programs

LEAF Backyard Tree Planting Program

Want to plant a tree in your backyard? LEAF makes it easy!

The Backyard Tree Planting Program, offers native trees and shrubs at a subsidized price. It includes a site consultation with an experienced arborist to determine proper tree selection and site location, delivery and planting of a 6 to 8 foot tree and a handy tree care guide.

Visit their website for a description of how the program works, colour photos of the trees and shrubs, prices and instructions on how to book your site consultation.

Spring season is now in full swing, and LEAF has a new and expanded list of 27 native trees and 20 native shrub species this year. Please note that for a Spring planting (April and May), you must have a site consultation before April 13th. Consultations which occur after that date will be for fall (October and November) plantings.

They are also happy to discuss the program and book a site consultation with you over the phone – call them at 416-413-9244.

Categories
Safety and Security

Crime Prevention Check List

  1. Ensure all exterior doors and windows are sufficiently strong to withstand an attack.
  2. Ensure hinges on exterior doors are either not accessible from the outside or modified so that they don’t represent an easy means of access.
  3. Install dead bolts or equivalent locks on all doors.
  4. Secure sliding glass doors.
  5. Lock and secure garage doors.
  6. Install burglar resistant glazing materials on basement and ground floor windows and on door windows that can be reached and opened (within 40 inches or one meter), should the door glass or any adjacent window be broken.
  7. Lock service accesses such as milk boxes, or cat/dog entrances that are small enough for entry.
  8. Install exterior lighting at all entry points.
  9. Fit all windows with security pins or nails or other reliable latching devices.
  10. Install a wide-angle peep hole in all exterior doors.
  11. If you have burglar bars installed on any windows, equip them with quick release devices so people can get out easily in case of fire.
  12. Do not hid extra keys under a mats or flowerpots.
Categories
Safety and Security

Tips to make your house more secure

Windows:

  • Most windows can be pinned for security; drill a 3/16″ hole on a slight downward slant through the inside window frame and halfway into the outside frame; place a nail/pin in the hole to secure the window.
  • Sliding doors and windows can be lifted out of their tracks with relative ease; install self-tapping screws in the upper track that allow the door/window to slide into place.
  • Place a piece of wood into the bottom tracking to resist lateral forcing.
  • Install Burglar resistant glazing and latches on upper floor and basement windows.
  • Secure upstairs windows by drilling holes through both frames and insert with a double-headed nail.

Doors:

  • Locks with keyholes in the knob are NOT reliable – they can be easily forced.
  • Doors should be mounted so hinge bolts are not facing outwards.
  • Install one-inch deadbolt locks on all exterior doors.
  • Chain locks are poor security; install a wide-angle viewer instead.
  • Padlocks should be “heel and toe locking”.
  • If keys are lost, locks should be changed.
  • Control who you give extra keys too.
  • Place burglar resistant glazing in areas of glass in or beside the door.
  • Pins or lock screws can prevent hinge removal on exposed door hinges.

Garages:

  • Lock garage doors.
  • Don’t store ladders in garages.

House Exteriors:

  • Create more visibility around your house; trim your bushes.
Categories
Safety and Security

Crime proof your home when you are away

  1. Get an alarm system installed. Even the company’s sticker on your front door is enough to prevent a break-in.
  2. Place a piece of wood in your windows to prevent them from being pried open from the outside.
  3. Ask your neighbours to collect mail, flyers, and newspapers. If you are away for an extended period of time, stop newspapers, and ask the post office to hold your mail.
  4. Have someone maintain your home. In the summer ask a friend or neighbour to water your garden and cut your lawn. In the winter have someone shovel your walkways, sidewalks and driveway.
  5. Have your lights and television on automatic timers. Hook both inside and outside lights to timers so they go on and off at specific times.
  6. Install motion lights outside of your house.
  7. Hire a security patrol to check on things. This is a good option during peak vacation times like summer, when your neighbours might also be away.
  8. Store small valuables in a safe deposit box.
  9. Ensure all entry points to your home are locked and secured.
  10. Do not leave notes indicating that you are away.
  11. Make sure your garage door is locked.
  12. Make sure windows and doors are not blocked by overgrown shrubs.
  13. Lock up extension ladders.
  14. Put away any outside utensil that could be used as break-in instruments.
  15. Do not leave car or house keys by the front door or in the kitchen.
  16. When buying high value items, cut up and turn boxes inside out before you throw them into the garbage or recycle.
  17. Don’t leave a message on your voice mail saying you are away.
Categories
Safety and Security

Operation Identification

Is a program designed to discourage the theft of valuables from your home and other locations. It provides a way to easily identify stolen property.

Marked items are difficult to dispose of and are easily traced. If it is advertised that your valuables are marked using Operation Identification, you are less likely to be victimized.

To join, contact your local police. You will be loaned an engraver, free of charge. You will also receive an OPERATION IDENTIFICATION record sheet and decals. The decals should be placed at main entries to indicate that your valuables are marked. Use a number such as your Social Insurance Number or Driver’s license. Below is a list of items to engrave, mark or take pictures of:

Home Items:
Antiques Appliances Bicycles
Binoculars Cameras Clocks
Compact Disk Players/DVDs Golf Clubs Guns
Hand Tools Lock Boxes Musical Instrument
Personal Computers Power Tools Stereos & Speakers
Televisions Typewriters VCRs
Vehicles:
Battery Hubcaps Mag Wheels
Stereo & Speakers    
Valuable Items:
Coin/Stamp Collections Silverware Jewelry
Paintings Watches  
Expensive clothes and furs: sew in your personal identification number.
Categories
Issues

Parliament Street Survey

In collaboration with the Cabbagetown BIA, we conducted a survey to gather the opinions of Cabbagetown residents about Parliament Street (from Wellesley to Gerrard) and the adjacent areas of Carlton and Gerrard Streets. Information gathered in the survey will help the Cabbagetown BIA to promote local improvements and aid in dealing with city officials, planners and developers.

We had an overwhelming response from the people of Cabbagetown, and many unexpected requests from residents to submit completed surveys after the original closing date. As a result, the board decided to extend the deadline and accept replies until June 29, 2007. As of that date we had received 466 completed surveys from a total of 1030 delivered to residents’ homes in late April and beginning of May. The response to the survey was in excess of 45% – a phenomenal response by any standard!

The enthusiasm shown by the replies shows that residents love our area and have deep feelings about its future. The DVCRA Board and the BIA members thank everyone who took a few minutes to complete the survey and provide valuable advice. Special thanks to Doug Rowlands who initiated and is managing the project as well as to the volunteer members that helped distribute and collate all the surveys.

As soon as results are available, we’ll post a summary on this site.

Categories
Issues

Streets and Traffic Committee

On late 2006, the Committee undertook to design, distribute and analyze a survey to gain an understanding of the ideas and concerns of the CRA membership with regard to streets and traffic. About 1 in 3 of our members responded which is a very high proportion. The Final Report on the survey has been delivered to the Board and the recommendations are being reviewed. Comments from the membership are welcomed.

Principal Findings: highest ranking issues are:

  1. Car Vandalism and related matters
  2. Guest Parking problems

A number of other ideas and issues concern our members and these are outlined in the Final Report and Appendices which are available here.

Categories
Issues

A.P.P.L.E. Program at St. Martin's School

Members have been asking about the program being run by the Catholic School Board at the St. Martin’s School site on Salisbury Ave. Many have expressed concern over the increased numbers of students and their behaviour in the neigbourhood.

A.P.P.L.E. stands for: Alternative Pupil Placement for Limited Expelled Students and is a Toronto Catholic District School Board program run through Monsignor Fraser College for students who are on a limited expulsion. This program provides a flexible and individualized alternative setting for youth 16 years of age and older who are at risk and are experiencing halted success with the regular secondary school system.

The president, Joseph Curatola, has told us that they are closely monitoring the situation. Anyone in the neighbourhood with questions or concerns is free to contact either him or his collegue, Dave Morin. You may contact them directly at:

Joseph Curatola
55 Salisbury Avenue
416-397-6536

Categories
Issues

General Survey

The Don Vale Cabbagetown Residents Association (DVCRA) conducted a survey of its members in the fall of 2004 and again in the spring of 2006.

In the 2004 survey, 82% of the respondents rated increasing personal safety & security as very important. Comparatively, 80% of respondents rated reducing street crime as very important, while improving community services and improving quality of schools, scored 69% and 55% respectively.

Another survey was conducted at the May 3, 2006 AGM meeting to provide direction to the Board on prioritizing activities for the upcoming year. Six issues were rated based on their importance with “1” being the least important to “5” being the most important. The top 3 issues identified by the membership are:

    Reducing Street Crime – 92% of respondents rated this issue as “4” or “5” with 66% rating it as “5”.

    Revitalization of Parliament Street – 90% of respondents rated this issue as a “4” or a “5” with 62% rating is as a “5”.

    Increasing Community Safety and Security – 85% of the respondents rated this issue as a “4” or a “5” with 60% rating it as a “5”.

To view the complete survey results from May 2006 click the link below.

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