*Check against delivery*

Today I’m joined by Superintendent Craig Young of our Public Safety Operations, and Inspector Stefan Prentice of Intelligence Services.

In just fourteen days, we’ll be welcoming thousands of Taylor Swift fans to our city for what’s shaping up to be an unforgettable two weeks. The excitement surrounding these concerts is undeniable, and for many fans, this will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

We’re committed to making sure these events are not only memorable but are safe for everyone.

As you can imagine, an event of this scale requires a tremendous amount of planning and coordination. Public safety is our top priority, and we’ve been working closely with Rogers Centre, concert officials, the City and our agency partners, to ensure that every aspect of these concerts is managed smoothly, from the moment fans arrive to the time they leave.

Whether you’re attending the Taylor Swift concerts or one of the many other events happening in the city, like Raptors, Marlies, or Leafs games, or the arts, we’ve developed comprehensive plans to enhance security and manage the influx of people in and around the downtown core.

You can expect to see a significant and visible police presence throughout the concert week, including a significant number of officers deployed both inside and outside the venue to ensure the safety of all attendees and to assist wherever needed.

Our efforts go far beyond security alone. We’re working closely with Rogers Centre, emergency services, and public transit authorities to coordinate everything from road closures to crowd management and emergency response plans. This joint effort will ensure that all aspects of security and logistics are covered.

We understand that there may be some anxiety around events of this scale. That's why our intelligence teams are closely monitoring and are fully prepared to respond to any potential risk. This monitoring will continue throughout the lead-up to the concerts and through the event days.

While we can’t go into operational specifics, I want to reassure everyone that we have robust systems in place to detect, assess, and respond to any emerging threats. We’re confident that our comprehensive approach, combined with the support of our law enforcement and intelligence partners, will ensure that concerts proceed safely. Should any issues arise, we’re prepared to take immediate action for the safety of everyone.

The success of these concerts relies on the collective efforts of not just the police and our partners, but also concert goers and other visitors to the city during this time. If you’re attending the concerts or other events, we encourage you to plan your route in advance and allow yourself extra time to get around.

A few key things to keep in mind:

• There will be road closures and, of course, large crowds, so we highly recommend using public transit;
• Remember to be patient while leaving your event as large crowds will all be exiting at once – take your time and be alert to your surroundings;
• For Swifties, we’re discouraging non-ticket holders from gathering outside the venue, as there will be no fan zones set up and we want to keep those areas as clear as possible;
• And decide in advance where you will meet if a member of your group or family gets lost in the crowd – this is especially important for younger kids who may get caught up in the excitement.

Finally, I’d like to remind everyone to remain aware of their surroundings, follow the instructions of police officers, security and event staff, and, most importantly, look out for one another. If you see anything unusual or concerning, don’t hesitate to approach one of our officers.

Ultimately, these concerts are about bringing people together to celebrate and enjoy world-class entertainment. We want fans to focus on having an amazing time, and we’ll handle the rest. Our city is thrilled to host these events and are confident that everyone will walk away with incredible memories.

We’re ready to ensure that safety and fun go hand in hand, and we’re excited to see the city come alive during these events.

Thank you.

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For more information:

City of Toronto Taylor Swift Media Technical Briefing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFbGRRhgTyI

City of Toronto Taylor Swift Visit Fact Sheet: https://www.toronto.ca/news/taylor-swift-the-eras-tour-torontos-version

Rogers Centre - Know Before You Go: [email protected]