Toronto's Danger Zone? Walking The Two Roughest Blocks & Intersections In "Sketchy" Downtown East

[@J3unG]

I was on vacation in Toronto last month. I'm an American who lives on the San Francisco Bay peninsula. I can tell that Toronto's growth looks to me like the way SF grew 35 years ago. Right now it looks like the beginning of the 1990's SF. A building boom, probably funded by foreign money and a reputation for being a world class city in every way. The thing I fear for Toronto is the homeless issue. I only saw 4 homeless folk in Toronto during my 7-day stay in February. The gestalt put me right back to SF 1990 and by mid 2000 the homeless problem and heroin user problem was in full swing. Ken, find a way to talk to the mayor and remind them that mismanagement of the city's growth and infrastructure and will lead to homelessness and despair. Make your City Hall understand that expansion shouldn't be paid for by the good folk of that city. Heed my warning, bro. Vancouver already fucking looks like SF and they may never be able that problem.

[@Jenesaisquoi44]

Yes so you’re wrong on so many levels here but thanks for visiting. No foreign dollars definitely did NOT build the downtown - that would be Canadian Developer dollars and they’d be ticked to hear you talk so poorly - years it takes to develop. Land purchased by grandparents finally gets developed by grand children - years they wait. There’s not a single street I can’t walk down day or night - alone. It’s not like SF because you need to zoom out and see the entire Ontario picture. Vancouver is a different animal - we wish we lived there. That’s why they have the drug issue - it’s attractive to live there yet unaffordable. When things get tough - people crumble or rise above. In Ontario- it’s COLD - rise above or die is the option. There’s nothing in between. You must have a different attitude to live here - there’s no flopping out. It’s-30 in Winter.

[@daniopoppa]

the homeless and drugs are the fault of foreign investment. they dont even live here but take away a roof from those that live here.they bring their laundered money to invest but drive the middle class into poverty by raising rents.

[@UzumakiNaruto_]

@@Jenesaisquoi44 *Yes so you’re wrong on so many levels here but thanks for visiting. No foreign dollars definitely did NOT build the downtown - that would be Canadian Developer dollars and they’d be ticked to hear you talk so poorly - years it takes to develop. Land purchased by grandparents finally gets developed by grand children - years they wait.* Too bad the architects who came up with the designs for all these buildings, the majority of them are so ugly, bland and boring. Building after building of glass boxes stretching up into the sky replacing all the unique, historic buildings and businesses that made the downtown core so vibrant, entertaining and unique and what made so many people want to live in and around downtown.

[@CalvinJones-zu1ok]

Awesome video. The sketchy East Side always seems fascinating. It doesn't seem as bad as Vancouver's Downtown Eastside!

[@goldreservegroup7791]

Thanks for this little tour. I currently live in the West end of the GTA, and I’m considering a move back downtown to Harbourfront. 😮 Wow! The city’s east end has really changed! I haven’t lived downtown since 1996. Nope, don’t want to walk through that neighbourhood at all! I avoided it like the plague back in the 80s & 90s, and now I remember why. If I can’t find a unit at old building on Queen’s Quay, or in Yorkville.. I’ll move to Dubai 🇦🇪 or Marbella in the south of Spain 🇪🇸

[@TheKenContinuum]

Thanks for watching!

[@Entername-md1ev]

Honestly even the bad parts of Toronto don’t seem all that bad. Comparing to US cities, there are large parts of Chicago, San Francisco, Atlanta, Baltimore, Philly, Los Angeles and DC which have areas that are complete no-go zones and you shouldn’t even stop at stop signs or red lights when driving through at night - moss park is definitely shady but not too deadly for an average civilian. Even compared to the rough parts of London and Paris (two comparable cities to Toronto safety-wise), these areas don’t seem all that terrible especially compared to the banlieues of Paris which are damn rough

[@TheLisseth83]

Yah Toronto bad areas are not reallllllly that bad.

[@daniopoppa]

😂😂 people from Toronto are stuck as a rock and never left home, i.know exactly what you mean. they still think jane and finch is dangerous. try trick or treating in philly at night

[@UzumakiNaruto_]

Yes Toronto isn't anywhere near as bad as many of the cities you listed, but its certainly headed that way when nearly everyday you watch the news there's a shooting and/or stabbing somewhere in the GTA. Or assault or carjacking, or smash and grab or home invasions etc. Things definitely weren't like this even 20 years ago.

[@brentsarazin6597]

It makes me wonder why certain areas in the world become like this but in many ways it is understandable. I wonder if Trump is referring to these areas of the USA to, 'Make Great Again', somehow I doubt it.

[@heatherwhittaker6169]

It's sad that Canada tears down rather than keeping things in repair.Beautiful old homes were well built to last ...such waste

[@tonycarpenzano3060]

I agree with u 100%. Alot of it's history being torn.Unlike other big cities like say N.Y.C..I've been here in T.O since 73 so I can see alot has changed & not necessarily for the better.

[@paulstark1832]

Great video of the sketchy East side. Thank you, Ken!!

[@TheKenContinuum]

You bet!

[@9thNativeEcom]

I enjoyed watching this. I was once homeless on these very streets. Sherbourne and Dundas, I use to eat at that church many breakfasts. This was the summer of 2020 when I was in that area. I have since recovered and living a healthier lifestyle. But this was cool to see the exact streets I was at. It was chaos when I was at this intersection.

[@TheKenContinuum]

Thanks for sharing & for watching! Glad things are going well for you now.

[@evemarie1605]

Long, long ago in the 1860s this was the original "Rosedale" with fine houses for affluent people surrounded by rose gardens. By 1910 the "Rosedale" district had spread north and jumped across Rosedale Valley to "North Rosedale". After 1930 this place gradually declined into a district of rooming houses and "flop houses" and after 1950 they stopped calling it "Rosedale" and "North Rosedale" came to be called simply "Rosedale":- you can still see occasional vestiges of that past grandeur and elegance down here but it's mostly gone now.

[@evemarie1605]

at 8:40 :- there's always litter after the snow melts in late winter in Toronto because it gets mixed up with the snow and no ne tries to pick it out. As spring progresses much of the litter will be gradually cleaned out. It's always grungy in Toronto at the end of each winter but it get's better once the grass starts growing in mid-April and Toronto greens up. 🙂

[@Susan-w2h]

Happy St Patrick’s day Ken. This was certainly an interesting walk through a poorer and rougher area of Toronto. I’ll be watching your coverage of the parade today, my grandfather came from Ireland and loved celebrating this day😊😊😊

[@TheKenContinuum]

Thanks very much!

[@jennaa5172]

Good video Ken! I used to live right near Moss Park, 23 years ago. It was very rough back then

[@TheKenContinuum]

Thanks, Jenna! The neighbourhood has stubbornly stayed much the same.

[@azamyahmad]

Super awesome super amazing and another gorgeous filming edition footage camera work and thanks again Ken ..

[@AmbientWalking]

Outstanding! I love this trip that I just took with you! It's amazing!

[@truenorthtransparency]

I CopWatch on Downtown East Side. Regent, Moss… One of my first live videos was at night north of Fillmores on George and Dundas

[@TheKenContinuum]

haha My hood!

[@rob-time]

Hey great video. I have subscribed to your channel. I found this one interesting because I worked on the team that redeveloped Regent Park and I worked there for 10 yrs. If you want some info about that, let me know.

[@TheKenContinuum]

Thanks for the sub, and I'll definitely keep that in mind!

[@lawrencedewan9838]

ThankYou! You call it sketchy...I call it home. Well done, Sir!

[@TheKenContinuum]

Sure thing!

[@lawrencedewan9838]

WOW! You quickly flashed My old home Apartment at 230 Jarvis On the corner is the Salvation Army Center Painted it twice...day and night You can see these pics on display in the lobby

[@whitbydude]

As someone who explores laneways, I’m sure you’ve noticed the laneways which once connected George St. to your street have been barricaded or fenced to prevent passage. Interesting…

[@TheKenContinuum]

Yep, ruins a good shortcut!

[@Advisorit]

Highway to The Danger Zone…. ✈️

[@amandagibson838]

Still better than other countries

[@carolali8851]

I used to know that area quite well. My friend was married in that church on the corner of Dundas & Sherbourne. I had a boyfriend that lived just south on Sherbourne (17:30). I drove cab part time in Toronto in the 1980's and I don't even recognize most of the city anymore. This section of the city has been slower to adopt modern buildings and although I'm not a fan of the new style this part of the city really needs the uplift. I think that Dollarama was a Dominion store back in the 80's & 90's. These day's we seem to be importing our criminals from Quebec (car theft). Nice walk, thank you.

[@TheKenContinuum]

Sure thing. Many new developments proposals are going through the approvals process, big changes are coming to the area soon.

[@Ann-hm7gj]

Sounds times is there too! Alot of mess was going on over there but you can get the help you need at sound times.

[@elterrifico9522]

Vinny at Moss Park Discount says he’ll have your money by Friday and to not pay him another visit “like last time”

[@TheKenContinuum]

Where's my $2??

[@elterrifico9522]

😂

[@lawrencedewan9838]

Most def My old hood Lived one block over...Jarvis & Queen God Bless the Sally Ann!

[@Ann-hm7gj]

That all saints church use to play r and b music all day for.the kiddos. It was enjoyable. And that tall British African man that works there is an amazing guy. Actually most of the staff that work at all saints were wonderful people. They really help the people. They really do!

[@MichelleBruce-lo4oc]

Hi Ken, interesting video. How is your weekend going? My weekend is going well. My cat Benjamin says hi to you. He's big and happy. Have a good night. See you next video ❤😊

[@jakethegoanimator4669]

Fuckaiaiaisjsusuuwjsudjsisisisisjsjsisis)snejhsysususywywysyzhzhsususussishsirtjsiajskdudieisshitsjsjsuususbitcshaijajsjajajsjsjs

[@TheKenContinuum]

Thanks and hello!

[@featherkingdom449]

Nice walk Ken! I have been playing alot of Grand Theft Auto IV lately and I've just realized how Toronto looks and feels so similar to Liberty City! I think my fellow countryman Niko would feel right at home in Toronto! 😂 I would love to visit the 6ix one day! Love from Belgrade Serbia 🇸🇰 👋

[@TheKenContinuum]

haha Thanks!

[@teawithtams6596]

8:08 those houses are beautiful and so full of history, I hate to see them getting torn down.

[@TheKenContinuum]

The ones closest to the shelter will be retained.

[@brentsarazin6597]

Sometimes I think of all the places and the things you have seen, witnessed, and people you have met Ken. Also knowing that you could potentially recall almost every video if discussed. I am going to call CBC National News and have them interview you. Only kidding but in my opinion I would love to hear what you would have to say. Take Care and be Safe.

[@TheKenContinuum]

haha Thanks, Brent! I did appear on the CBC Toronto local news a couple years ago about one of my videos, but the National News would be a step up. haha

[@schnuurtchke]

Hey Ken I missed the opportunity to chat with you in your premiere

[@Ann-hm7gj]

This is not skid row. An area were the average condo price for a one bedroom that starts at $500,000.00 IS NOT A SKID ROW!

[@okay3037]

As a outsider take a walk down Dundas st in london ont. What I just saw was a cake walk.

[@TheKenContinuum]

I'll have to record there sometime. hah

[@lawrencedewan9838]

Live two blocks away Don't go out at night Painted two Allen Gardens paintings

[@redfoxpine]

Kim’s Convenience used to be called Mimi’s Variety

[@TheKenContinuum]

Ah yes, thanks!

[@Jim-m3l9d]

I used to be nuts about Dick Wolf's many Law and Order shows. It has just now come to my attention that a new show called Law and Order Toronto:Criminal Intent is starting. This was reminded by the Filmore Club which is one of the trailers. Will there now be lots of film crews in the streets of Toronto? For NBC? Could ironically a show be ABOUT Toronto using locations not there? That would be crazy. Many years ago the Night Heat show was supposed to be (I think) New York but exteriors were in Toronto. For sure Toronto is a good steady supply of show themes.

[@TheKenContinuum]

Law & Order Toronto is produced by Rogers media, shoots in Toronto & airs on CityTV. Believe it or not, my brother-in-law came up with the concept and pitched the show to Dick Wolf as a viable addition to the Law & Order franchise. So far it's been a huge ratings success!

[@Jim-m3l9d]

@@TheKenContinuum Cool. Too bad we in the USA have no way even to stream it. I hope those able to watch CityTV can comment on if it does present Toronto "playing itself" Toronto has played some other place for quite a while. Now it gets to be Toronto. Fabulous.

[@christinecamley]

I always associate 'skid row' with poverty. This looks like danger versus poverty.

[@TheKenContinuum]

It's a different sort of area than Vancouver's downtown East Side.

[@bobbykiriakidis9753]

It is clean because we subsidize our homeless. Seriously it could be worse

[@evemarie1605]

at 14:40 :- Sector 17 is part of a chain of South Asian-style diners.

[@TheKenContinuum]

Ah, cool!

[@Ann-hm7gj]

If they clean it up more I swear to God that area is a SPOT to be! Regent park is beautiful..the condos are beautiful..The park is so nice. They just need to clean it up a bit MORE. TORONTO Did A LOT! Sooo good.. The area is NOT THAT BAD.

[@Bee-b3b]

Greetings….Beware the nice guys as well as the not so nice guys. I was completely creeped out from the neighborhood, housing conditions and people. I love what your generation of content creators are doing--but I’m a bit worried too. Stay safe

[@angelheart46]

Alan Gardens, used to go there when I was 12 pushing my nephew in his carriage in 1973, winos and people were sleeping all over even then but no one bothered you, used to sit on the benches and feed the pigeons, also on the south side of the park, Gerrard street, there were hira Krishnas, they came outside every day at noon and dance in the park, singing , and trying to get people to go in the house and eat and probably join the cult, i lived just on Seaton street , it was dump back then , not to much changed by the looks of it

[@TheKenContinuum]

Thanks for sharing!

[@CityWalks_Estelle]

luv it have a good day Ken 😊

[@TheKenContinuum]

Thanks, Estelle!

[@lawrencedewan9838]

Freshco...That's new only Mom & Pops a few years back

[@lawrencedewan9838]

Potential new subscriber... Once again...FUNNY!

[@TheKenContinuum]

Much appreciated!

[@garystar1592]

Great video Ken! Carlton and Homewood is alive at 3am

[@TheKenContinuum]

Thanks!

[@LeelaylayFrankie-wr4ti]

Ken is officially an og now😂

[@TheKenContinuum]

13 years in the neighbourhood, yo.

[@LeelaylayFrankie-wr4ti]

@@TheKenContinuum please don't get shot dead say ING the wrong thing to somebody in the neighborhood ken

[@Jim-m3l9d]

Other people have visited places like Quebec City or Moncton or Charlottetown. Makes me wonder if these or say Calgary have a George Street. I know Vancouver has East Hastings. Never been there physically even on a Vancouver visit. But in video it seems apocalyptic, full of fentanyl zombies.

[@amandagibson838]

Still better than other countries i walk there on friday no regret hope for the best for these people

[@daveydudely9954]

i used to live on Jarvis and last time i saw Allen Gardens ruined by tents full of idiots i was glad i don't live there anymore

[@Ann-hm7gj]

That fresco is CHEAP! Got me through times

[@Ann-hm7gj]

I use to come outside of my apartment and eat Greek food everyday in cabbage town. Gyros, Shawarma and PHO everyday🙌🏿 People need to appreciate the area and stop trying to drag it down with their BS because the area has LIFE FOR REAL!

[@christinecamley]

Interesting!

[@xXxFaustoMoraesxXx]

looks like vancouver is a little less worse than toronto when it comes to the homeless population. in east hastings they dont do anything to you unless you do something first

[@lawrencedewan9838]

15:25... St Luke's Church...They feed many...They need Your help Correction ...This is All Saints St, Luke's is at Sherbrooke and Carlton...they feed many...Please help

[@Ann-hm7gj]

It's the fact that people are so close to pretty much everything! I never stepped foot in that Dollarama. EATON CENTER ALL DAY EVERDAY🙌🏿

[@lawrencedewan9838]

17:25...Affordable housing...Good one! Nearly peed myself! if $2000 for a bachelor seems affordable to You...pay My rent!

[@JimMork-r9u]

I'm withdrawing from Toronto Tuber accounts. The sight of billions spent on transit as daily gridlock shows TTC ignores what the public says. I need to follow my ethical values and donate to agencies in my vicinity

[@TheKenContinuum]

You're welcome back anytime, Jim.

[@JimMork-r9u]

@@TheKenContinuum Won't happen. Canada is wracked by forces the democracy can't master. And I loved Toronto once, before things got out of control.

[@DontEatTheSquid]

Since we're such a wealthy society, it would be nice if we did more to eliminate the poverty behind the so-called "sketchiness".

[@user-hu2yu3ez1e]

TTC is it free for the 65 older or over 70 years, if you know it?if is not free how much it's worth ? Thankfully

[@Ann-hm7gj]

Yes right at 33:52 that's the Ethiopian corner. That restaurant has the biggest menu on this planet. They sold everything including mint tea to spaghetti haha! But most of the time Ethiopians are praying and what not but there super nice people. They don't bother a soul. Most of them own the condos in regent park anyway. It's all good 😁✊🏾

[@Ann-hm7gj]

OMG that bike delivery agency right at the corner wasn't good. You only make maybe 10 bucks for a package delivery. At least they offered the opportunity everyday. I delivered medicines from that agency to people who lived in liberty village.

[@pfsppfsp3312]

After seeing where you live Ken I would suggest moving to Guelph !

[@TheKenContinuum]

haha Never

[@totoroutes5389]

Next walks in steeles/keele area?

[@TheKenContinuum]

I might make it up there sometime.

[@lawrencedewan9838]

There is an Indigenous center at Sherbourne and Gerrard...right there Teepees o.k. homeless tents ...NO!

[@kathyguinto4585]

south ave and parts of geddes and parts of west onondaga street and a few other streets on the south west side of syracuse look like slums some areas are danger zone s

[@bikechannel4931]

39:05 Watch out for this perp in the danger zone. He is know to be aggressive. If you see him do not approach and contact Myron Demkiw immediately.

[@lawrencedewan9838]

Not sure its renovations think its protection from desecrators bad here

[@johnh23z]

I got out for BC in 81

[@topoisomerace]

This is one area I skip when running through the city. It's no fun always having your head on a swivel.

[@TheKenContinuum]

Fair enough

[@lawrencedewan9838]

Discount store...been there many times. Good shop. Crowded but ample. Two doors over was a great barber shop. Murdered by covid phoniness.

[@Moxy770]

Is there a Sauna called "The Barracks" ??? on Maitland St ...I dont live in Toronto ...

[@TheKenContinuum]

Not sure, but there are saunas in that area.

[@Moxy770]

Thanx Very much for getting back to me ..Sooo i will continue my search ..thanx again!!! @@TheKenContinuum

[@dmann5938]

Skid row as in the map Skidrow? That was such a good map 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻

[@TheKenContinuum]

haha

[@heatherwhittaker6169]

The place looks so bleak and empty...no people 😮

[@Ann-hm7gj]

Eww filmores hotel is a disgrace. But those rats need to make money so that place will never close. I lived around there for 6 months right at parliament and dundas. That's 24 TTC street car was the highlight. It ran 24 hours a day! I was trying to get into that condo because it new and beautiful and the prices were right for a new unit. It's actually very convenient to live around there. That BBQ spot is GOOD. And the Eaton center is just a stones throw away I was there everyday shopping! It's a lot.of.ethipoan people that live around there.. They don't bother anybody. The area isnt that bad I'm.being honest if your the type that stays to yourself. It's ghetto but still enjoyable place to be.

[@Ann-hm7gj]

The native counsel needs to acknowledge the black natives. I didn't find them useful in regards to black natives rights something that they need to acknowledge. All they cared about was FOX!

[@100PaulRees]

I really like your videos but this one is a bit of a reach. Toronto is not a dangerous place, especially the Allen Gardens area. Yes there are homeless people and they might try to hit you up for some change but you’re not going to get robbed or murdered. Unless you’re walking around late at night I guess. I can’t think of any downtown areas I don’t feel safe in. 30 yrs ago I lived at Dundas and Mutual which really was skid row. We had 2 homeless guys who slept on our front porch and we would nudge them awake in the morning when we were leaving to go to work. We had an agreement of no alcohol and no peeing on the porch.

[@lawrencedewan9838]

23:39 Want to buy crack...this is the corner

[@RobertLizinski]

It's a city that's ridiculously overpriced and disgustingly overhyped. Once favored by foreign speculators it has now hit a brick wall.

[@thejusticeization]

wait why do you sound identical to johnny strides? lol

[@TheKenContinuum]

I do? haha

[@thejusticeization]

@@TheKenContinuum yeah

[@mallinen0777]

You are jocking, right? Try Jane and Finch, then come back anf tell us about a roughest part of Toronto lol

[@TheKenContinuum]

I've done a video & a live stream through Jane & Finch, and IMO Dundas & Sherbourne is way sketchier at street level.

[@Ann-hm7gj]

It was easy to get welfare in that area.. I'm just saying

[@darrellmonroe1512]

P R O M O S M

[@Christina24life]

Imagine spending $3,000,000 to live across from that filth

[@athomestudios8779]

I find it very strange- that you guys just go around filming people, yet the kids can't film themselves in stores as their own influencers, for their own community audiences. Where's your permit Ken? Note: Toronto is a diverse city- stop bringing world wide attention [to vulnerable spaces] and bad publicity to neighborhoods that do something which you don't: which is invite and support people experiencing diversity challenges in town. Do better, if you're going to work for free.

[@TheKenContinuum]

Um, no permit is required to record in public. This is my neighbourhood, and I record videos in all areas of Toronto and simply show them just as they are.

[@athomestudios8779]

Stop lying to the world Ken.@@TheKenContinuum

[@Seventizz]

Didn't look as bad as a Democrat run big US city - but the amount of closed businesses can't be a good sign of things to come. I avoid downtown as much as possible because there's much sketchier areas than this.

[@ronarmstrong7907]

30 years ago if you were brave and in need of a late night snack Georges BBQ had excellent chicken. You had to Dodge Crack Dealers, Pimps and their Working Girls. No one in their right mind walked through that hood at night. Moss Park Discount was owned by a Husband and Wife. He was killed in the store during a robbery. There have been a few murders in that area over the years. Go one block south of Queen and it's like you fell off the earth and landed on another planet. Queen and Sherbourne was another of those corners were if you were a People watcher was quite the Spectacle.

[@TheKenContinuum]

It's starting to change around there now with the new subway line & other developments going in.