Gun violence is on the rise in London. Acting police chief Trish McIntyre weighs in
CBC
Gun violence is on the rise in London with nine shootings in the first three months of 2023. London's acting police chief Trish McIntyre is deeply concerned and calls it alarming.
Hear the full interview with London Morning host Rebecca Zandbergen:
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
RZ: Nine shootings in three months. Is that something we've seen before in this city?
TM: Stats like this are alarming. We have seen an increase year-over -year, but to have nine in the first three months of the year is just alarming.
RZ: Why do you think this is happening?
TM: So many issues are at play here. We saw enormous change in the landscape with the global pandemic. We see a drastic increase in mental health concerns, the proliferation of drugs, guns, gangs. That's definitely translating into violence. There is a call to action drafted that's specific to bail reform. That's Bill C-75.
RZ: I'm curious how how you believe these guns are getting into our city?
TM: We know most likely they're coming to us from the states through tracing. They're not long guns on, you know. That's not the guns [we're seeing] being used in crime.
RZ: And how often are you confiscating guns?
TM: This is what's so crazy for us. Now more than ever, we have our frontline patrol officers seizing handguns when they pull over a car. They find a loaded handgun under the seat. Like that was unprecedented. We would never see that before. But definitely, the times have changed and that is definitely more prevalent. That's a risk to frontline officers so it's a huge concern.
RZ: Is it just a rise in gun violence or are we seeing other concerning things happening in our city as well?
TM: Honestly, the global pandemic sent a shock wave across the country, right. And we see every jurisdiction struggling with issues. We see enormous increase in those suffering from mental health issues. That has all been you know growing year over year over year.
RZ: In a certain sector of our society, people say why not fund these mental health services instead of police officers. How would you respond to that?
CBC Newfoundland and Labrador is kicking off its annual holiday campaign, helping to raise money to support local food banks.
If all goes according to plan, at 6 a.m. AT on Saturday people working at the IWK Health Centre will become the test case for a generational change to Nova Scotia’s health-care system.
One month after Prime Minister Mark Carney announced what he called "generational" military spending, New Brunswick’s defence ecosystem is on high alert.
Miranda Mirlycourtois, 34, looks directly at the camera and makes a confession.
Saskatoon city hall says police spending is projected to be $2.6 million over budget this year. That pushes the city into a $1.2-million deficit position, according to a report that will be considered by city council next week.
Students at the University of Regina are days away from deciding whether a newly formed student association should become their official representative body.
All public schools on P.E.I. are closed Friday and thousands of Maritime Electric customers are without power as strong winds create hazardous travel conditions across the province.
Prince Rupert, B.C., residents are celebrating the holidays this year with coastal flair.
In the four years Chelsey Simmonds has worked at the Eva Rothwell Centre, she has seen the need increase every year at the centre’s community food pantry.
CBC is once again looking to make the holiday season kind in Windsor-Essex.
Acute Care Alberta has extended its contract for another year with a private surgical facility at the centre of probes into health procurement and contracting.
As food bank use continues to climb across the province, front-line workers in Thunder Bay, Ont., are working to improve both food security and education.
More ads could soon be coming to Toronto’s subway system.