Right now on CP24 etc
Bill Blair just got finished speaking that you cannot arrest or put people in jail to solve the gun crisis.
Police see drop in shootings since launch of 'Project Community Space,' Saunders says
Sept 30 2019
Toronto, Ontario
CP24
Chief Mark Saunders says 35 per cent of the more than 500 charges laid in the first six weeks of ‘Project Community Space’ were related to firearms.
On Monday morning, Saunders provided an update on the11-week project, which was launched in August after the police service received $4.5-million from all three levels of government to combat gun violence and gang activity.
“Over the six weeks, shooting events have decreased 30 per cent compared to the six weeks prior to the start of this project,” Saunders said.
“The project allows for increased presence and visibility in patrol cars and on foot and in areas where street gangs are prevalent.”
While the majority of charges laid so far are firearm-related, Saunders said 11 per cent of charges were for violent offences, including assault, robbery, and ###ual offences.
“These results speak to this project being intelligence-led in that officers are in key areas and are able to get to scenes quickly,” Saunders said Monday.
Twelve people free on bail for firearm-related offences were re-arrested over the past six week as a result of the additional resources, he added.
A “bail enforcement surge” was also undertaken, Saunders said, resulting in officers checking up on 876 individuals who are currently out on bail.
“A lot of the criminals that know that we are out there are staying home,” he said, adding that members of the community have reported feeling safer as a result of the additional officers in their communities.
Saunders noted that 38 referrals were made to community agencies, including 17 referrals that were made to a gang exit program.
The project was launched in response to a violent August long weekend where more than a dozen people were shot.
It is scheduled to wrap up on Oct. 31.
hxxps://www.cp24.com/news/police-see-drop-in-shootings-since-launch-of-project-community-space-saunders-says-1.4616435
Toronto police chief says almost 250 arrests so far in ‘Project Community Space’
Sept 30 2019
Toronto, Ontario
Toronto police say they made close to 250 arrests in the first six weeks of a project aimed at curbing gang activity, including 12 people who were re-arrested while on bail for firearms offences.
Police Chief Mark Saunders gave an update today on Project Community Space, which launched in August after the force received funding from all three levels of government.
He says the program has been “extremely effective” in increasing community safety, gathering intelligence and making arrests.
Saunders says officers laid 525 charges as part of the project so far, with firearms-related offences accounting for 35 per cent of the charges, failure to comply with bail conditions making up 17 per cent and violent offences such as assault and ###ual assault representing 11 per cent.
He says officers conducted close to 900 compliance checks for those on bail, adding that people reoffending while on release is a “big concern.”
The program – which will use $1.5 million each from the federal, provincial and municipal governments – is set to run for 11 weeks in total.
hxxps://globalnews.ca/news/5968778/project-community-space-toronto-police-gun-violence/
‘Project Community Space’ is decreasing shootings in Toronto, police chief says
Sept 30 2019
Toronto, Ontario
Toronto’s police chief says the first six weeks of a three-month program aimed at tackling gun violence shows that it’s helping to decrease the number of shootings in the city.
An 11-week plan, dubbed “Project Community Space,” received millions through funding provided by all three levels of government.
The project, which ends Oct. 31, aimed to boost police presence in crime-prone areas of the city, build better connections with community groups and proactively check up on those out on bail.
“At mid-point of Project Community Space, there was a 30 per cent decrease in shooting events compared to the six weeks prior to the start of the project,” Toronto Police Service Chief Mark Saunders said Monday at a news conference.
Saunders reiterated his belief Monday morning that bail is granted too easily in gun crime cases, and the freedom enjoyed by some of those accused is fueling a cycle of gun crime.
In the first six weeks the “intelligence-led” program, he said, managed to rearrest 12 people who were freed on bail for firearm-related offences.
“They faced a variety of new firearm and violence-related charges,” he said.
“[The charges included] possession of firearms, which had serial numbers tampered with, possession of prohibited and restricted firearms, and assault with a weapon.”
Since the program began in August, 876 people currently out on bail have been checked on.
Saunders said officers laid a total of 525 charges in the first six weeks of the project, and 35 per cent of the charges were firearm-related.
Failure to comply or breach of bail condition accounted for 17 per cent of the charges, 11 per cent of the charges were for violent offences and 8 per cent were for outstanding warrants.
As well, 38 referrals have been made to programs in the city, of which 17 were to a gang exit program.
“The members of the Toronto Police Service … have been extremely effective in implementing this operational plan and increasing the safety of Toronto communities,” Saunders said. “We will continue to do what we do.”
The program, which received $1.5 million in funding from all three levels of government, was developed after 17 people were shot and injured during the August holiday weekend in Toronto this year.
hxps://toronto.ctvnews.ca/project-community-space-is-decreasing-shootings-in-toronto-police-chief-says-1.4616796
I note that although he says it's down by 30%, I remember the 1995 C68 House Of Commons debates where the Liberals kept using percentages but never quantity, which led to Liberal MPs voting in favour of C68 because they honestly thought that wives were being killed by the thousands every year. That led me to the rule: you must show Percent and Quantity, or you're probably being snowed, somehow.