Reacting to the Danzig Street shooting, which left two dead and another 24 injured, the “furious” mayor of Canada’s largest city assures us that Toronto has “the greatest police service in the world.” He invites Torontonians to “declare war on these violent gangs.” The kind that will “catch these criminals and get them off our streets.” Ford says “there is no room in Toronto for violent gangs.”
Frankly, I don’t know how my old hometown can still be “one of the safest cities in the world” after three deadly shootings in less than two months. This one follows the recent shootings at Toronto’s Eaton Centre and in Little Italy.
Plus, this is the same Ford who was the only member of council to vote against accepting $350,000 from Ottawa for a gang intervention project. Free money from the tough-on-crimes feds.
The full text of the mayor’s statement:
“Toronto is a safe city. It’s one of the safest cities in the world. Toronto is a great place to live and raise a family. It’s a great place to invest and create jobs. However, we cannot be complacent. We cannot stand by and watch criminals bring violence to our streets and backyards. It’s time for all of us to work together to keep our city safe.
The events of last night are heartbreaking. A fun, family-focused community event quickly turned into a violent nightmare. Two innocent young people are dead because some idiot thugs decided to settle a disagreement with violence. That is not acceptable in our city. I will not accept it. I am furious about it.
It’s time to say “enough is enough.” It is time to take action against the spineless cowards causing this violence.
This is about gangs and gang violence. Frankly, it doesn’t matter if they hurt people with guns or knives, bats or bricks. There is no room in Toronto for violent gangs.
Some people have suggested there is a gang war brewing. I don’t know if that’s true. But, I do know it’s time for us to declare war on these violent gangs.
Earlier today, I spoke with Premier McGuinty. I hope to meet with him in the near future to discuss how we can work together to combat gang violence. I will also be calling on the prime minister for his continued support as well.
We must use every legal means to make life for these thugs miserable, to put them behind bars, or to run them out of town. We will not rest until being a gang member is a miserable, undesirable life.
We will need your help to do this. And you can start helping right now. Hundreds of people were at the party Monday night. Dozens of people saw what happened. Many people know who the gang members are. We have the greatest police service in the world, but they need your help.
If you were at the party last night—or if you know anything at all that may help police arrest these criminals—I strongly encourage you to call 43 Division police at 416-808-4300. Or, if you want to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
We are all in this together. With your help, we will catch these criminals and get them off our streets.”
