Summit will see snipers perched on rooftops
Top military snipers who served in Afghanistan will be stationed on the rooftops of highrises around the Metro Convention Centre when leaders of the G20 countries meet June 26-27, officials say.
The snipers — the elite of the Canadian Forces — are among 1,600 out-of-town officers starting to arrive in Toronto this week to help members of an Integrated Security Unit protect the more than 20 world leaders at the summit.
RCMP Sgt. Michele Paradis refused to comment on the sharpshooters or their security operations.
The increased security has led to sections of the downtown ringed by a 10-foot wire fence and has forced Toronto Police to post cadets at the doors of their College St. headquarters, asking visitors to show identification before they’re allowed inside.
Police said visitors soon may have to show documents to enter other city-owned buildings. City hall officials said they have no plans to do the same.
Officers said marine traffic will be banned from the inner Toronto Harbour during the G20 and officers in boats will be on patrol. Some underground garages will be shut next week as a safety precaution, police said.
The convention centre was filled with police activity Tuesday as officers secured meeting rooms.
Police have removed light standards from a parkette near the convention centre to create a helipad to shuttle world leaders away from protesters.
Paradis said 99.9% of the demonstrators are expected to be law-abiding.
“It’s that small amount of people coming here to break the law that we have to worry about,” Paradis said. “We will support lawful protests and demonstrations.”
Const. Wendy Drummond said most of the 3.3 km of fencing around the centre and Harbour Castle Westin Hotel has been installed and checkpoints will be announced soon.
Drummond said a booking facility has been opened on Eastern Ave., to process and hold those arrested during demonstrations until they can have bail hearings.
“It is a facility for mass arrests,” she said. “People will be held here as they await court proceedings.”
Meanwhile, Steam Whistle Brewery workers are stocking up the shelves at bars and have relocated their distribution centre to outside of the security zone.
Company spokesman Sybil Taylor said about 15 weekend workers will be affected by the G20.
“We have prepared ourselves,” Taylor said. “All our workers have been accredited but there will be a disruption of traffic flow.”
http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2010/06/15/14401666.html