Councillor Doug Ford says it’s time his brother Rob had a full-time security detail, though it was an in-law who was charged after a morning break-in at the mayor’s home.

Scott MacIntyre, a long-time common-law partner of Ford’s sister, Kathy, has been charged with two counts threatening death, forcible entry and possession of heroin and cocaine.

A police source said he is an ex-boyfriend, although a voicemail message at the couple’s nearby home includes both names. A neighbour said they spent Christmas together at the residence.

Shortly after 8 a.m. Wednesday, police sources say a man arrived at the mayor’s Etobicoke home and forced his way inside. The mayor confronted the “unwanted visitor,” telling him: “I advise you to leave.”

Speaking to reporters, the mayor said: “I can take care of myself. Pretty well told him that … The whole thing was over pretty quickly.”

MacIntyre is known to police.

In 2005, the now 45-year-old was charged with drug and gun-related offences following an incident in which Kathy was shot in the face. It appears to have been an accident. Kathy, who has battled a heroin addiction, required extensive plastic surgery afterwards.

According to a neighbour, the couple has lived together at Trehorne Dr. for three years. MacIntyre was last spotted at the house around Christmas.

Neighbour Frank Basilico said he only knew the man “to say hi and bye,” but two years ago he helped MacIntyre get a job as a shipper/receiver at the wholesale tile manufacturer where he works.

MacIntyre was fired after two months, Basilico said, adding that MacIntyre always complained of being tired.

Rob Ford visited the house on a couple of occasions over the past few years and once asked Basilico about what it was like living next to his sister and MacIntyre.

“Rob asked me one time, ‘How are they?’ I said, ‘No problems.’”

On Wednesday night, a television tuned to a news station played in Kathy’s darkened living room. Nobody answered the front door or telephone.

The family voicemail includes the names of Kathy’s two children, a son and daughter.

A young man who identified himself as a relative and was driving a car registered to Kathy’s son visited Rob Ford’s home Wednesday afternoon. He told reporters he was in “no mood to talk.”

Kathy’s son is from a previous relationship with a man named Ennio Stirpe, who was recently convicted of attempted murder.

Police have released few details about the incident or the man charged.

Const. Tony Vella, who works in communications, said only that police were called to Edenbridge Dr. “for a suspicious incident/threatening investigation.”

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About a dozen police cars, some unmarked, were stationed around the neighbourhood on a security detail until an arrest was made.

If it was left up to the mayor’s brother, that service would be made permanent. According to Doug, Rob will have none of it.

“I’m more worried about Rob’s safety than he is,” said the councillor.

Last year, the mayor was the target of two separate death threats. Other unreported incidents have occurred, said councillor Ford.

“My issue with these incidents is it raises the question: does the mayor need a security detail? And my answer is yes.”

Deputy mayor Doug Holyday agrees.

“In the past, I’ve suggested to Rob perhaps he should have a part-time driver at least and he might consider a retired police officer for the job, someone who would have some security experience and be able to help in the event of security problems,” said Holyday.

Holyday said Ford is dead set against the idea, partly because of the expense and partly because he values his independence. But Holyday thinks taxpayers would consider the relatively minor expense reasonable.

Mayors of major American cities, such as Chicago, New York and Detroit, have security details. Premier Dalton McGuinty has a round-the-clock security detail and has a special “panic button” installed inside his Toronto home.

Canadian mayors typically do not have special protection. A spokesperson with the mayor’s office in Vancouver said, “The mayor and his family feel very safe and any security issues that arise are rare and handled accordingly by the (Vancouver Police Department.)”

MacIntyre will appear in bail court at Old City Hall on Thursday morning.

With files from Robert Benzie