Brussels attacks prompt heightened security at Toronto's Union Station - Action News
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Toronto

Brussels attacks prompt heightened security at Toronto's Union Station

There is an increased police presence at Toronto's Union Station this morning in the wake of attacks in Brussels.
Union Station, which typically handles about 200,000 passengers a day, is seeing an increased police presence in the wake of Tuesday morning's terror attacks in Brussels. (Mehrdad Nazarahari/CBC)

Travellers noticed a stepped uppolice presence at Toronto's Union Station and Pearson airportTuesday in the wake of attacks in Brusselsincludingbomb blasts in that city's airport and a local metro stationthat left more than 31dead and 190wounded.

Anne Marie Aikins, a spokesperson for the regional transit agency Metrolinx, saidalthoughthe official security alert level has not been raised,there would be more police officersat the station.

"Union Station is the largest transportation hub in the country, so police are increasing the police presence and we are going to be extra vigilant there," Aikinstold CBC News. She said transitusers shouldbe extra vigilant as well, and encouraged them to tell the authoritiesif they see something.

"Our customers are often very comforted by the fact we have transit safety officers here," Aikins said. "They're very approachable but any of our staff are approachable and any of them can provide assistance."

Toronto Transit Commission spokesmanBrad Ross also issued a statement aboutsecurity.

"The TTC and its staff remain vigilant at all times," the statement reads. "We take our lead from law enforcement agencies, but ask our customers that if they see or hear anything suspicious, to report it to a TTC employee or police: see something, say something."

Matthew Orlando, a construction worker at Union Station, said the extra police presence adds a level of security that travellers appreciate.

But, he added, "I'm more concerned with how we're addressing these premeditated attacks and what type of research is going on behind closed doors so we know something is going to happen and how we can prevent it from happening rather than being reactive."

Jessica Conrad, who lives in Liege, a city nearBrussels, is visiting family in Toronto.

She said the extra police presence she saw at Brussels airport Tuesday morning is "probably a good thing but it doesn't stop that kind of thing from happening."

Conrad said she doesn't feelCanada will be the subject of a terror attack.

"Canada hasn't been as involved with some of the stuff that's been going on in Syria," she said. "People are fleeing here and they're meeting with less resistance than in places like Belgium and France and Germany so I think it alleviates fears that we're a target," she said.

Security was also beefed up at Pearson airport Tuesday, but many travellers told CBC News they're not fazed by the Brussels attack.

"I feel air travel is safe, I always feel confident travelling by air,"LizMacDonald said. "I'm not planning on changing any of my plans for travelling to Europe."

With files from Michelle Cheung