Mayor John Tory is warning that Monday’s ticket and towing crackdown in downtown Toronto was no one-day wonder, but says he’s confident the new zero-tolerance approach is already sinking in with drivers.

“Repeatedly violating the law and screwing up the lives of thousands of people in this city cannot continue,” the mayor said after an early-morning whirlwind media blitz that included a helicopter fly-over.

“People of Toronto want to get to work on time, they want to get home to their families on time; and that is what this policy is all about … it’s enforcing the law so people can get around.”

A beefed-up police and parking enforcement officer presence in the downtown core saw 70 parking tickets issued and 29 vehicles impounded for blocking lanes during the morning rush hour, followed by a similar campaign on the evening drive home.

Travelling around the city on Monday, Tory said he was getting “thumbs up” and car honks in appreciation, “because they could see that traffic was moving better.”

The mayor’s office, police and city staff have been working collaboratively with businesses to “find ways to do things differently.” He commended Canada Post for altering clearing times for many mailboxes, so their vehicles aren’t clogging traffic.

“It is possible to respect the law, to help keep traffic moving and to do business effectively and efficiently, all at the same time,” Tory said.

David Turnbull, president and CEO of the Canadian Courier and Logistics Association, said the city has agreed to add 20 courier delivery zones to the current 13, though he said he regretted it wasn’t done in time for Monday’s blitz. These zones are located on side streets near major downtown corridors.

“We don’t want to be blocking up traffic, because it interferes not only with everyone else, but it interferes with our industry,” he said at city hall.

Towing costs range from $200 to $250 for small vehicles, up to $1,000 for larger vehicles, such as delivery trucks. The fine for parking in a rush-hour route is $150.

Toronto police Const. Clint Stibbe said Monday’s crackdown is “the new normal” on downtown streets. He was on patrol and writing tickets to motorists stopped illegally.

Ten minutes before the end of the morning rush-hour ban on Queen St., a driver returned to his vehicle, saw a ticket issued by Stibbe, then went back into a building with a parcel. He returned before a tow truck arrived.

“It's a game of Russian roulette,” Stibbe said. “And at some point the individual's going to lose.”

Toronto police spokesperson Mark Pugash said officers are being redeployed from residential areas to downtown streets.

“This change will continue until further notice,” Pugash said Monday.

Under the Ford administration, the main priority for parking enforcement officers was to generate revenue by issuing as many tickets as possible. That priority has shifted under Tory, whose number one goal is to get traffic moving.

More: Amidst Tory ticket blitz, truckers say they aren’t to blame for blocked streets

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Toronto should greenlight plan to fight gridlock: Editorial

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With files from Jennifer Pagliaro

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