By Vihaan Bhatnagar
Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Community Safety and Security staff participated in a training exercise on Jan. 5 with the Toronto Police Service (TPS) to practice their responses in active attacker situations.
According to the TMU Security website, an active attacker may be someone displaying a weapon or engaging in threatening conduct or behaviour.
The training was conducted under TPS’ immediate rapid deployment program and included TMU Security staff, senior leadership from TMU, TPS staff and emergency responders, according to an email statement from TMU Security. No other TMU staff, faculty or students were involved in the training.
Simulated training was held in the Rogers Communications Centre (RCC), Kerr Hall, the Kerr Hall Quad and the Recreation and Athletics Centre (RAC) between 7 a.m. and 12 p.m.
Fifth-year photography student Jamie Edghill said she feels safe most of the time on campus, but recalled past incidents she found concerning.
Edgehill noted an incident last year where students were notified of a person on campus carrying an axe via the TMU Alert App, as previously reported by The Eyeopener.
“As a woman, you’re always thinking about if someone’s going to jump out at you,” said Edghill.
Second-year business management student Garv Jha said he feels more secure in some areas on campus compared to others. “Near the Victoria building, I don’t really like going there because I don’t feel safe there sometimes,” said Jha. “Then near Ted Rogers…and near Kerr Hall, I’d say that’s pretty safe.”
In an emailed statement to The Eye, TPS said that the active attacker simulation training is conducted to support campus safety and improve emergency preparedness. Training scenarios are designed to enhance responses to potential threats in coordination with police.
“It’s good to know that they are working towards being more prepared in case something unfortunate happens,” said fourth-year computer science student Nuha Khaja Mir.
The training was originally scheduled to take place on Oct. 15, 2023, but was postponed due to TPS resources being required elsewhere, according to a statement from TMU.
“Active attacker training has become increasingly common and standardized across Canadian post-secondary institutions and is part of the university’s commitment to proactively plan for rare, but possible, emergency situations,” said TMU Security in a statement to The Eye.
“In an emergency situation where TMU community members have immediate safety or security concerns, they should call 911. They should only inform TMU Security at 416-979-5040 once it is safe to do so.”
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