Gun violence in Ottawa: Shootings down but injuries up
There have been fewer cases of people illegally shooting guns in the city of Ottawa this year, but there is a trend toward more injuries because of gun violence.
Interim Ottawa police chief Steve Bell addressed the issue of gun violence at Monday’s Ottawa Police Services Board meeting.
“As of Sept. 20, we’ve seen 48 shootings this year, which is a 25 per cent decrease compared to this time last year,” Bell said. “Despite the decline in shootings, the number of people injured is on the rise. We’ve seen 27 people injured and three fatalities due to shootings this year.”
Bell says that compares to 33 injuries and nine fatalities in all of 2021.
“Our investigators remain very engaged in these files and 84 crime guns have been seized, 46 of which were seized following an OPS-led investigation with the support of the Canada Border Services Agency and the Ontario Provincial Police,” Bell said.
Overall, he said police are seeing the number of calls return to pre-pandemic levels. He said there has been a nine per cent increase in reported violent crimes, including assault (up 8 per cent), sexual violence (up 14 per cent), robberies (up 23 per cent), uttering threats (up 14 per cent), and criminal harassment (up 10 per cent).
WORKING TO GET ‘FEMICIDE’ CODIFIED
Bell also said the Ottawa Police Service is working to ensure femicide is specifically codified as a crime in Canada.
Six women have been killed in Ottawa since January, Bell said, and he noted a common thread.
“In each case, we have concluded that a man was responsible or men are facing charges for those acts. The violence must stop,” he said.
Bell said help is available, but solving the issue would require “new approaches, new ideas, and renewed collaboration with our community,” Bell continued.
“The Ottawa Police Service has begun introducing the term ‘femicide’ in our communications to describe the murder of women when the reason for death is suspected to be that the person is a woman, including intimate partner violence, misogyny, control, or sexually motivated crimes,” he said. “It is currently not in the criminal code and does not speak to motive. Our service’s use of this term is meant to bring a new dimension to the conversation about and advocacy for the elimination of violence against women in our community.”
Bell said the OPS is working with partners to help establish an official definition of femicide to be written into law.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Cyclist issued fine for striking four-year-old girl crossing the street
A cyclist turned herself in and received a fine after striking a four-year-old girl who was crossing the street to catch a school bus.
Millions of Canadians have been exposed to potentially toxic chemicals, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
IN PHOTOS Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Mildmay, Collingwood and St. Thomas, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.
Dutch contestant kicked out of Eurovision hours before tension-plagued song contest final
The Netherlands' contestant in the Eurovision Song Contest was dramatically expelled from competition hours before Saturday's final of the pan-continental pop competition, which has been rattled by protests over the participation of Israel.
Woman in her 60s in life-threatening condition after Bridle Path bus shelter collision
Police say a woman in her 60s is in life-threatening condition after being struck by a vehicle at a bus shelter in Toronto's Bridle Path neighbourhood on Friday.
Joe Biden wants to remind 2024 voters of a record and an agenda. Often it's Donald Trump's
Biden wants the 2024 election to be a referendum on Trump's record and plans, but he also wants voters to look favourably on his own policies and actions
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
opinion How to use your credit card as a powerful wealth-building tool
Irresponsibly using a credit card can land you in financial trouble, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says when used properly, it can be a powerful wealth-building tool that can help grow your credit profile and create new opportunities.
Here's what 'the hinge' move is, how to do it correctly
When you're picking something up from the floor or bending over to tie your shoe laces, you're performing "the hinge move," according to movement trainers.