Mother of girls shot at playground calls for community programs

TORONTO — The mother of two young girls who were hit by stray bullets at a Toronto playground last month called Monday for better education and community support programs, not increased police presence, to curb gun violence in the city.

Toronto must reduce the number of young people who turn to crime, Stacey King said at a meeting of the city’s board of health where ongoing research into community violence was being discussed.

The June 14 shooting that sent King’s five- and nine-year-old daughters to hospital was just one in a string of high-profile gun crimes this spring and summer that’s led to increased calls forgovernments to take action.

Toronto police Chief Mark Saunders announced last week that 200 frontline officers will be added to the night shift over the course of the summer in an effort to deal with gun violence.

Toronto Mayor John Tory also recently announced that at least part of $15 million earmarked for efforts to curb gun violence would be going to community programs aimed at preventing youth from joining gangs.

Police data shows gun violence has killed 27 people and injured 82 so far in 2018, compared with 17 deaths and 80 injuries at this time last year.

“My kids are suffering from this,” King said. “My five-yearold got shot in the stomach ... Do you want to know what she said to me that day? ‘Mommy am I going to die?’ For a five-year-old to know that, that is so wrong.”

Officials need to look at the reasons why some youth pick up guns and others don’t, King told the 11 city councillors on the board of health.

Children should be taught about issues that lie at the root of gun violence — including bullying and mental health — by Grade 3, King said.