Hamilton Police Service Reinforces Commitment to Community Safety
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The Hamilton Police Service understands the gravity of the recent rise in gun-related crimes in our city. We are dedicated to addressing these critical issues and ensuring the safety and well-being of our community.
Community Involvement We cannot emphasize enough the importance of community involvement in making our city safer. Yesterday, we received a call from a concerned community member about an erratic driver on Upper James Street. This individual reported a vehicle speeding and repeatedly crossing into oncoming lanes for an extended distance on Upper James Street. Thanks to this vigilant community member, our officers were able to safely conduct a traffic stop at Fennell Avenue. Upon approaching the vehicle, officers detected a strong odour of marijuana and observed the driver exhibiting nervous behaviour. The driver then admitted to having a handgun in his pocket. As a result, a loaded Glock 26 was seized, along with a quantity of crack cocaine and scales found in the vehicle.
This incident underscores the vital role that community members play in enhancing safety. It highlights how a simple call can lead to significant outcomes, demonstrating that it truly takes everyone coming together to make a difference. The dedication and quick action of our officers, combined with the proactive involvement of our community, continue to make our streets safer.
Chief Frank Bergen
“Our recent success in seizing firearms and making arrests is a testament to the power of community and police collaboration. It takes the vigilance and courage of our community, paired with the dedication and professionalism of our officers, to keep Hamilton safe. Together, we can make a significant impact in reducing gun violence and ensuring a safer environment for all.” - Chief Frank Bergen
Our Actions to Combat Gun Violence We have recently made our dedicated Shooting Response Team a permanent fixture within our Service. This team is specifically trained and equipped to respond swiftly and effectively to incidents involving firearms. Their presence has already made a significant impact, and we are confident that their continued efforts will contribute to reducing gun-related crimes in Hamilton.
Enhanced Offender Management Strategy Furthermore, we have enhanced our Offender Management strategy to focus more intensely on serious repeat violent offenders with firearms. The recent C-48 Bail Reform, which came into effect this year, has provided us with additional tools to manage these offenders more effectively, ensuring that those who pose the greatest risk to our community are kept off the streets.
In addition, the Province of Ontario has been actively collaborating with us to address this issue. Funding and resources have been allocated to support our initiatives, and we are working closely with provincial policing partners to ensure that our community has the necessary tools and support to combat gun violence effectively.
Transparency and Accountability For your reference, here are the numbers of shootings in Hamilton over the past five years:
- 2020: 51 shootings
- 2021: 39 shootings
- 2022: 45 shootings
- 2023: 35 shootings
- 2024: We are currently at 40 shootings