Gun violence is on the rise in London. Acting police chief Trish McIntyre weighs in

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?