Toronto Violence Escalating

Forget the Gangs of New York! In 2012 it’s the Gangs of Toronto that we need to be concerned about.

I don’t even live in Toronto but I’m sickened by the growing trend of gun violence in one of Canada’s greatest cities. The number of shootings in 2012 in the Big Smoke as of July 18^th is 143, including the mayhem just a couple nights ago that left two dead and 23 wounded at a Scarborough block party.

There have been 29 homicides this year already and shooting victims total 178 which is up over 40% from this time last year.

The bottom line...enough is enough. But what can be done about it?

Everyone in any power position talks tough. From the Mayor to the Chief of Police to Premier McGuinty and other politicians, they all say enough is enough and it’s time to crack down on the problem. That sounds good but is it really possible to put an end to the violence? Can Toronto’s reputation as a safe place to live and visit be restored?

I have to laugh when I hear these same individuals claim every time these crimes occur that they’re just “isolated incidents” and that “Toronto is a safe city”. Pull your head out of the sand and open your eyes. These stopped being isolated a long time ago and are now common occurrences. When I turn on the morning news, I expect to be told of another shooting or killing on the streets of the GTA. It stopped being a surprise a long time ago.

It may seem wrong for me to say this but if it was only gangbangers getting shot and killed I’d say, “Have at it boys!” A little insensitive perhaps but that’s the life choice these gang members made and knew what they’d be facing going in. As long as innocent bystanders were left alone I could almost tolerate it.

However, that isn’t the case as we’ve seen time and time again; there always seem to be non-participants caught in the crossfire and that is the real tragedy.

Police Chief Bill Blair while sounding upset and disgusted by the most recent events was quick to point out that it’s “not indicative” of the turmoil Torontonians endured during the summer of 2005 when 24 people were shot dead between mid-June and mid-September. A total of 52 people were killed by guns in the city that year. It should also be noted that of the 29 murders in Toronto so far this year, only 20 have been by guns.  Yup, ONLY 20, like that’s something to be happy with.

 

The most shocking trend this year seems to be the circumstances surrounding these murders. Many of them seem to be taking place in busy public gatherings or locations. The most recent happening at the large block party, another during the fireworks display Canada Day at Woodbine Beach and another at the Sicilian Sidewalk Cafe in Little Italy crowded with soccer fans. Perhaps the most shocking to anyone with thoughts of visiting the city took place on June 2 at the Eaton Centre downtown where one man was killed and six others were wounded, including a 13-year-old boy shot in the head. And let’s not forget the hundreds of other shoppers who were traumatized and terrified during the ordeal.

When these “attacks” start happening outside of the usual neighbourhoods and impact the safety of those in what should be considered safe locations, this is what strikes fear into anyone thinking of making Toronto a vacation destination. This is why I won’t be making the drive up the 401 to Toronto anytime soon. The city has many great attractions that I enjoy but a trip into the Wild West shouldn’t be one of them.