Police chief addresses recent city shootings
Not indicative of a spike in violence, MacCulloch says
Niagara Regional Police Chief Bryan MacCulloch is urging residents to “take ownership of their communities” and come forward with any information they may have about a suspect in Sunday’s early morning shooting in downtown St. Catharines.
“We know that the likelihood is that someone knows something,” MacCulloch said, addressing St. Catharines city council Monday night. “While I cannot speak to the specifics of the investigation as it unfolds, in instances such as these there is often limited co-operation and that is certainly an investigative hurdle.
“We encourage residents to take ownership of their communities and to come forward if they have information.”
Police were called to a shooting in the area of St. Paul and Queen streets Sunday at about 1:40 a.m., where a 24-year-old man was found with lifethreatening injuries.
On Monday, police released security video showing four “persons of interest” walking on St. Paul Street about the same time. The gunman was described as black, wearing a dark blue hooded athletic tracksuit with a sold white stripe down the side of his jacket and pants.
The incident followed a Sept. 6 shooting at Church and Niagara streets in St. Catharines that sent three people to hospital. No arrests have been made in that case.
MacCulloch said if people with information don’t feel they are able to reach out directly to police investigators, they are strongly encouraged to call Crime Stoppers and leave a secure and anonymous tip at 1-800-222-
TIPS.
“The big question, the question I know you’re hearing from residents, and that you are asking of me, is ‘Is our community safe?’” MacCulloch said. “I can tell you that these are two isolated incidents and are not indicative of a spike in violence.”
MacCulloch was asked to come to council and provide an update by Mayor Walter Sendzik.
Sendzik said that like all residents, he was disturbed by what happened.
“Despite these two recent incidents, we all know St. Catharines is a safe and inclusive community — that’s why these shootings are so shocking. Things like this don’t happen in St. Catharines.”
Sendzik said gun violence is unfortunately on the rise and is impacting cities across Canada.
“We are not alone in this,” he said. “We will not tolerate violence in our hometown and we must work together to keep our communities safe. The time to act is now.”
MacCulloch said police hear the concerns residents have about two shootings in the past several weeks.
He said the NRP has dedicated extensive resources and a team of detectives to fully investigate the incidents and identify the persons responsible and bring them to justice.
“This is our community as well,” the chief said. “As members of the Niagara Regional Police Service we live here and we care about the community and the people we serve and protect. This is just as unacceptable to us as it is to the residents of St. Catharines.”
He said Sunday’s incident was concerning as it was a busy weekend in the downtown core and there was an influx of people in the area for the grape and wine festival and Brock University’s homecoming.
But with the influx of residents, police also had additional resources in the area who were able to respond to the shooting.
“Unfortunately, in the current day and age, we need to be prepared for seemingly senseless and violent acts and we were,” MacCulloch said.
“My officers and civilian members in our communications unit reacted quickly in the immediate aftermath of the shooting to ensure public safety, to preserve life and preserve evidence. I’m incredibly proud of their efforts on that particular evening and all nights for that matter.”
The chief added that drugs, and specifically opioid use, in the community is a concern and police are actively working with community partners in both an enforcement and proactive role.
“A singular enforcement approach, or arresting our way out of this issue, is simply not a solution,” he said. “We will continue to work collaboratively with the city, the region and social service agency partners to cultivate an approach that is well rounded and takes into consideration the interests of residents and business owners while also balancing the rights of community members coping with addictive issues, poverty issues and homelessness issues.”