Unruly Blue Jays fans a risk for Taxi drivers

This unfortunate Beck Taxi driver didn’t have a lot to celebrate after the Blue Jays won Game 7 of the American League East playoffs. Industry members are hoping fans are better-behaved this weekend as the Jays return to Toronto for Game 6 and possibly Game 7 this weekend.

Behrouz Khamseh provided the Facebook video clip above to Taxi News and noted, “The crowds can be crazy…this poor guy, with someone dancing on his roof, kicking his light and then punching him!” Taxi News has been unable to obtain any information relating to the assault or whether the perpetrator was located or charged.

The combination of Hallowe’en on Friday and two World Series games the same weekend may bring even more frightening crowd behaviours. Toronto Police Chief Superintendent Frank Barredo outlined measures being put into place at a press event on October 24th:

“Every division and unit from across the Toronto Police Service is committed to ensuring that this celebration is safe and enjoyable for everyone – whether you’re heading to Rogers Centre for the games, gathering with friends to watch nearby, or simply moving through the downtown core during this busy time.

As with any major event of this scale, keeping people safe requires extensive planning and coordination. Public safety is always our top priority, and Toronto Police have been working closely with Rogers Centre, emergency services, and our City of Toronto partners to make sure all aspects of safety and logistics are covered – from road closures and crowd management to emergency response plans.

Fans can expect to see a significant and visible police presence both inside and outside Rogers Centre. Officers will be on hand to help manage crowds, support our partners, and ensure a safe and positive atmosphere for everyone. Depending on the day and what else is happening across the city, you may also see officers from neighbouring police services assisting on the ground.

We’d also like to remind everyone that drones remain prohibited in and around Rogers Centre during the games. It is a federally designated no-fly zone and we are using specialized drone detection technology to identify and intercept drones.

Ultimately, these games are about bringing people together – celebrating the Blue Jays, and celebrating our city. We want everyone to be able to focus on enjoying the experience, so we encourage fans to plan ahead, allow extra time, and stay aware of their surroundings.

A few key reminders for fans attending the games or heading downtown:

• Expect road closures and large crowds – public transit is your best option.
• Be patient when leaving, as thousands of fans will be exiting at once.
• If you’re bringing children, decide in advance where you’ll meet if separated.
• Follow the directions of police, security, and event staff. And,
• Celebrate safely – fireworks are strictly prohibited.

Toronto is ready to cheer on the Jays and to showcase the best of our city to the world. Together with our partners, we’ll be working hard behind the scenes and on the ground to make sure this is a World Series to remember.”