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High fences define G20 security zone
Updated: 2010-06-24 11:28
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The numbers tell it clearly: nearly four kilometers of two-meter high fencing surrounds the security zone where Group of 20 leaders will meet for two days this weekend in Toronto.
Police patrol nearly every intersection within the fenced zone, which includes the Metro Toronto Convention Center and the major hotels where world leaders will be staying for the conference, which runs Saturday and Sunday.
As two journalists discovered at the entrance to the Intercontinental Hotel, travelers without previous reservations and special security clearance can no longer enter leading hotels inside the fenced area.
The number of police has multiplied on Toronto streets, as all members of forces across Canada who are able to travel have come to Toronto to assist security during the summit, said Rodney Petroski, a constable from the provincial police and a media liaison.
The exact number of officers on the ground remains classified.
Police motorcades cruised streets in the security zone Tuesday evening as part of exercises, Petroski said.
Some hotels outside the security zone, such as the Econolodge Inn, will issue an identification band for every guest. "It's just for the sake of security during the G20 summit," Jacob Muyoboke, a hotel employee, told China Daily.
Earlier Tuesday morning, at least four shots were fired from a black BMW at the corner of King Street and John Street - three blocks away from the convention center - local media reported.
Police said officers were able to get a partial license plate number and recovered shell casings in the street, the Toronto police website reported. No one was injured.
According to the Globe and Mail, authorities do not believe the G20 and the shooting are linked.
"It's not an uncommon occurrence in Toronto any more to get reports of shots fired on any given day or night," the Globe and Mail quoted Sergeant Burrows as saying. "We often respond into the entertainment district ... This is realistically no different. There's nothing that indicates this is G20-related."
Meanwhile, Reuters reported that gay rights protesters marched through the downtown shopping district in carnival gear on Tuesday to demand global leaders address minority issues.
（中國日報網英語點津 Helen 編輯）
About the broadcaster:
Lee Hannon is Chief Editor at China Daily with 15-years experience in print and broadcast journalism. Born in England, Lee has traveled extensively around the world as a journalist including four years as a senior editor in Los Angeles. He now lives in Beijing and is happy to move to China and join the China Daily team.