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Dear Members of HVRA ,

As most of you will know by now, the Comfort Zone [at the corner of Spadina and College beside the Silver Dollar] was raided on Friday night. We have been unhappy with the CZ for several years and there have been many complaints... we are glad that this establishment is now on the radar screen of the authorities.

What the Police found was in essence a Drug Supermarket.

Councillor Adam Vaughan is working hard on this with a view to closing it for good.
In the meantime, it will re-open tonight after midnight but there will be a large Police presence all night and for as long as they are open.

He has asked that the following information be circulated amongst you the members of HVRA so that you will know more precisely what is happening

with all good wishes

Good News and Bad News from the Corner of Spadina and College

First the good news - Its been a couple of days now since the Police action at the Comfort Zone and with the dust starting to settle here is a brief update on what has happened. Keep in mind that the allegations have yet to go to court and the investigation is ongoing with more police and licensing charges expected.

Last spring following complaints from residents, and as part of a review of policing priorities for the ward, 14 Division agreed to increase surveillance and enforcement in the College-Spadina area and specifically focus on the Comfort Zone (CZ).

Following a long and detailed investigation a significant police action was undertaken last weekend. 33 people were arrested including staff of the CZ. Over $35,000 dollars in cash was seized. Police also seized $30,000 dollars worth of drugs. Ecstasy, Cocaine and GHB (the date -rape-drug) were found on the property according to police information

Two criminal organizations were working in concert out of the basement, though unproven one group appears to have connections to a notorious motorcycle gang. The building itself is owned by the Wynn Group and additional building code charges are now being prepared.

My office has been in touch with the Wynn Group, I have strongly urged them to review their lease with the CZ and take whatever steps are possible to evict the business. The Wynn group told me that several unsolicited offers to buy the building have come forward recently. My advice to them was to sell if a responsible offer came in.

Further steps to protect the community are now being drawn up and will be presented to council in conjunction with the office of the police chief. Fire, health and Municipal Licensing are all still actively working on the file.

While this problem may have hopefully come to an end at this location, it is important to understand that it will likely migrate to another location. We will monitor the situation and ensure that mistakes are not repeated.

There have been concerns raised in some quarters that the police action violated accepted standards of law enforcement. These allegations have not been forwarded to my office by anyone with a direct relationship to the event. Rest assured that the experience of area residents and concerns and worries of neighbours have been forwarded to my office. These concerns will form part of the documentation going forward as we continue to restore civility to the intersection and area around Spadina and College.

Now the Bad News - CZ plans to re-open just after mid-night tonight (March 21 at 1am). Police will post a cruiser and R.I.D.E programme outside during all hours of operation this weekend. A multitude of city inspection services will also be attending and conducting investigations.

Any complaints, disturbances or problems should be sent to 14 Division 416-808-1400. A copy of the complaint should also be sent to my office by email councillor_vaughan@toronto.ca.

Sincerely yours,

Adam Vaughan

Councillor Adam Vaughan
Ward 20, Trinity Spadina
416-392-4044
www.adamvaughan.ca