Eaton Centre aftermath
Despite the best efforts of police and politicians to curb gang violence, it seems clear that the problem is not going to stop anytime soon. The issue is not going to be solved with the appointment of endless committees and task forces. It’s time to draft a clear plan that involves close partnerships with grassroots community organizations that address gang violence and gang culture at their very core.
Kids who grow up in volatile environments often lack the resources and structure needed to put them on the right path. In the end, some may feel that the only way out is to join a gang. Sadly, it’s possible that the community and sense of power they receive from joining a gang offers more than what they receive in their family life.
Let’s put our dollars into local organizations that focus on ways to help youth succeed and thrive before they decide to join a gang. Armed with hope and a new sense of purpose, it’s the best investment we can make to avoid more senseless tragedies. Karen Hegmann, Toronto I read with shock and dismay your article about Christopher Husbands’ employment with the City of Toronto working with children. A policy that allows convicted criminals to work with vulnerable people pending a criminal record check is completely asinine.
I drive a tow truck for a CAA subcontractor and wasn’t allowed to begin my employment until a clean criminal record check was received. Is it inconvenient? Yes. Is it necessary to protect vulnerable children? Yes. John Taylor, Victoria Harbour The suspect was out on bail, under house arrest for 18 months for a violent crime. This is an outrageous failure of justice. His sureties failed to make him keep to his bail conditions, but who can blame them? The system was asking them to be jailers for 18 months and counting; who in their right mind expects that to work with the backing of $4,000 in bail posted?
The justice system is directly responsible for failing to provide society with reasonable protection from violent persons. That is what the Star should be raging about, not cuts to a program with no causal link. Paul N. Hornsby, Toronto I live next to Edmonton, which in 2011 earned the unfortunate moniker of being the murder capital of Canada. Hardly a month went by without a shooting in Alberta’s capital city. Yet, the tragic shooting in a downtown Toronto mall has captured the nation’s attention. Is Toronto safe? Is crime out of control? Hardly. I have visited To- ronto several times. It one of the cleanest, friendliest, and most enjoyable cities. In fact, I am coming again in late June. And, yes, I will be shopping at the Eaton Centre. The shooting is tragic, senseless and unfortunate. But it should not detract visitors from experiencing one of our finest cities.
Jason Gariepy, Sherwood Park, Alta. This sad incident will be long remembered in the history of Toronto. It is a blot on the reputation of the city.
Robert Cornish, Hawkestone To intimidate, threaten, coerce, frighten, brutalize. These actions are designed to create a climate of fear. Fear of public spaces, fear of talking. These are domestic terrorists. Gangs is too kind a word for them.
Marjorie Cormier, Toronto Too many cheap guns are available to callow young men, and little desire at the federal or civic level to shut down that supply. Many crime guns were burglarized from homes of legal owners. There is no need for anyone in the GTA to store semi-automatic weapons in their home. As a right-wing politician, Mayor Rob Ford may be the best man to enact a city-wide ban on storing such weapons in homes. Sure, it’s important to think about gang factors. But in the era of the semi-automatic, even the gang that can’t shoot straight can inflict multiple woundings and sure kills, while the rest of us dive for cover.
Ron Charach, MD, Toronto The suspect charged in the shooting at the Eaton Centre was under “house arrest” at the time of the shooting. When will the courts in this city smarten up and take their proverbial heads out of the sand? An individual with gang ties is not going to sit in his or her house just because they have been ordered to do so by the courts.
Perhaps if the courts had gotten it right the first time, this terrible incident would never have occurred. With the suspect up for bail, let’s hope they don’t make the same mistake and force someone else to pay for their lack of knowledge when it comes to dealing with individuals like this.
Gary Slippoy, Toronto Having read three newspapers daily for years, I don’t find much to be shocked about anymore. But this past week has been just a tad too much. Body parts being sent in the mail? The Eaton Centre shooting? I pray for those who were hurt and affected. No matter what happens, they will always and forever be the ones to pay, not the shooter.
C. Evans, Cobourg If these violent criminals want to kill each other under a power line in the far and remote burbs, let them. When they choose to shoot at others and jeopardize innocent bystanders in public places, that is an act of terror.
Let the perpetrators pay with their own lives. Compassion for these violent criminals is simply not working.
Boyd McAdam, Toronto
“The justice system is directly responsible for failing to provide society with reasonable protection from violent persons.” PAUL N. HORNSBY, TORONTO “Let the perpetrators pay with their own lives. Compassion for these violent criminals is simply not working” BOYD MCADAM TORONTO