The Rob Ford connection 
After allegations were published in May 2013 stating that there was a video showing Rob Ford smoking what looked like crack cocane, the whole province started taking a closer look at the drug trade in YCC #42.

Thursday May 16
The Toronto Star and the website Gawker claimed that reporters have seen a video that appears to show Ford smoking crack cocaine. Both media outlets have been approached about buying it from men involved in the drug trade.



As a show of its authenticity, the man gives the two news sources a photograph of Rob Ford with three men involved with the drug trade. Police later confirm that the photograph is real.

Friday May 17
Toronto Mayor Rob Ford told senior aides not to worry about a video appearing to show him smoking crack cocaine because he knew where it was, sources told the Star.

Ford then blurted out the address of two 17th-floor units — 1701 and 1703 — at a Dixon Rd. apartment complex, to the shock of staffers at a city hall meeting.

Staffers were alarmed by the implication of hearing so precise a location, sources said.

Ford issues a brief statement, saying the allegations are ridiculous and the Star is “going after” him.

Police say they are monitoring the situation; only later did we learn how closely they were monitoring this ongoing drama.

Monday May 21
A man was shot on the 17th floor of 320 Dixon Road. The same detectives who were reportedly tipped off by Mayor Ford’s staff about other illegal activities on the building’s 17th floor were dispatched to investigate, but police sources have since stated there is no link between the alleged video and the May 21 shooting.

Residents of the building say a fight actually started on the 18th floor and rolled downstairs, where shots were fired. Bullet holes, circled and numbered by police as evidence, remain visible in the walls.

Later the same day, a man assaulted two residents living in 15 Windsor Road and then ran away.

Saturday May 25
The Globe and Mail published an investigative report revealing that:
1.
Doug Ford, Toronto Mayor Rob Ford’s brother, sold hashish for several years in the 1980s.
2.
Another brother, Randy, was also involved in the drug trade and was once charged in relation to a drug-related kidnapping.
3.
Their sister, Kathy, has been the victim of drug-related gun violence.

Wednesday June 5
The Toronto Star identifies the house at 15 Windsor Road where, sometime in 2012, Rob Ford had his photo taken with three men who were involved with the Dixon City Bloods. One of the men, Anthony Smith was murdered last March.

The house is an alleged crack den.

Neighbours told the Star that the city put up a fence to stop pedestrian traffic coming out of 320 Dixon Road to 15 Windsor Road due to drugs and guns.

That evening, the YCC #42 Homeowners Association held a meeting in the basement of 320 Dixon Road where a director stated that since the condo corporation was installing 300 new video cameras and a FOB system, the number of security guards will be reduced.


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