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G20 security tight as world leaders fly in

By Li Xing and Ding Qingfen (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2010-06-23 11:18

Police security in Toronto beefed up for G20 summit during the weekend. [chinadaily.com.cn]

Toronto – No visitors can take a casual walk in blocks of streets in the neighborhood of Metro Toronto Convention Center, where leaders of the Group of 20 will meet on Saturday and Sunday.

Those wishing to get near will have to walk by about two-meter high fences with policemen patrolling and guarding almost every intersection in the fenced zones, which also include major hotels near the convention center, where the leaders will stay over the weekend for the conference.

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Travelers without previous reservations and special security clearance can no longer enter the leading hotels in the fenced area, as two journalists discovered at the entrance to the Intercontinental Hotel.

The number of police has multiplied on Toronto streets. One policeman told China Daily they must start monitoring the number of people ahead of the G20 summit.

The police not only come from greater Toronto area but also from as far as Calgary, another policeman wearing the badge of Toronto police told China Daily under the condition of anonymity, no officer except police media liaisons can talk with the press.

Some hotels outside the fenced zone, such as the Econolodge Inn, will issue identification bands for every customer staying over the weekend. “It is just for the sake of security during the G20 summit,” Jacob Muyoboke, the hotel employee, told China Daily.

Police motorcades were seen cruising the streets in the security zone.