By Sean Delaney
Policing in the Emery area dates back to the early days of Metropolitan Toronto.
In 1957, the law enforcement detachment serving Emery was the Metropolitan Toronto’s 19 Division. Then, North York was served by four divisional stations under the leadership of police chief Riseborough, as the newly created Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto worked to unify policing across the region.
That unification effort was led by John C. Chisholm, tasked with bringing together 13 separate police services into the newly formed Metropolitan Toronto Police force.
Emery’s first local police station operated out of Crang Plaza. The plaza had been built in 1952 by apple farmer Jethro Crang, and at the time it was considered the community’s first modern commercial centre. Today, it is the Sheridan Mall.
When the plaza first opened, it quickly became a hub of activity. The shopping centre leased space to a number of businesses and services, including the local police detachment. Other tenants included Arlington Pet Shop, Park Seaford Fish & Chips, and the U.S. grocery chain Grand Union, which later became Steinberg’s. The plaza also featured a bank, a hardware store, and community gathering spaces such as an auditorium and a bowling alley.
At the time, Inspector David Dinan served as the commander of 19 Division. Dinan lived within walking distance of the plaza in an apartment on the south side of Wilson Avenue, just east of Jane Street.
North York continued to grow through the 1960s and 1970s, and the need for expanded policing services increased, leading to the development of larger police facilities and the creation of what would later become 31 Division.
Today, while the buildings and patrol cars may have changed, the connection between the police and the community remains an important part of the area’s history.