More than 1,100 people have signed an online petition calling for closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras to be installed in the Garnett Janes neighbourhood to help deter and solve crime.

The petition for cameras was initiated by Toronto Police last month in a social media posting.

Police said in the post that they “actively engage with the community on an ongoing basis, however the violence continues.”

It was only last week that officers were called to investigate a drive by shooting in the Lake Shore Blvd. W., and Brown’s Line area, in which a victim was driving a vehicle when four shots were fired by gunmen in another car, which sped off.

The victim was hospitalized for gunshot wounds as officers escalated a search for two men.

There has been at least six shootings in the Garnett Janes area in the last month.

“Unfortunately the neighbourhood has also been affected by gang activity for some time,” police wrote in a proposal for cameras. “These gang members hang out in the buildings, on the streets, and in Lakeshore Village Park as well as Eighth Street Skate Park.”

“Street drug dealing is not an uncommon occurrence,” officers said. “’This gang activity leads to violence in the neighbourhood. “

Police said the Garnett Janes neighbourhood has seen a ‘disproportionately amount of violent crimes occurring within its’ borders as compared to other neighbourhoods in south Etobicoke.’

They cite two recent shootings that occurred in the middle of the day only steps from neighbourhood parks.

The cameras are proposed for the corners of Garnett Janes Rd., and Ninth St., Coin St. and Tenth Street, Etta Wylie Rd. and Garnett Janes Rd., and the corner of Ninth St., and Lake Shore Blvd. W.

The Garnett Janes neighbourhood is a shining example of why Toronto is one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the world, according to police. The residents are hard-working and family oriented but are being exploited by gangs.

The area is bounded by Birmingham St. on the north, Lake Shore Blvd. W. on the south, Thirteenth and Twelfth Streets on the west and Eighth Street on the east.

Police said images captured by CCTV will be automatically over-written within 72 hours, unless required for use as evidence in a case.

Many residents of the community seem to be in favour of the cameras.

“In addition the new cameras I feel it is time to reopen the police division on Lake Shore Blvd. W., which was at one time deemed unnecessary,” wrote Lynn.

Del said “I want to see and hear that all our neighbourhoods are safe.”

“I live in the neighbourhood and want to keep our community safe,” said Valerie.

“Protecting the community is of the utmost importance,” wrote Darlene. “We need to get rid of the gangs that are terrorizing the people.”

The petition can be found at change.org