Toronto Police say they are seizing an illegal gun daily and shootings are a daily occurrence in the City.
Toronto Police senior officers say they are seizing a crime gun every day from criminals up to no good.
Police said since January 1 officers have seized 16 crime guns from those out to possibly shoot or maim people in violent confrontations.
Deputy Chief Robert Johnson told the Toronto Police Service Board on January 14 that in 2024 there were 85 homicides, of which 44 were from guns.
Chief Myron Demkiw and top staff were before the board seeking $46 million more for the force’s budget of roughly $1.2 billion to recruit and train new officers and improve emergency response times.
The guns are matched against other crime guns seized by police that lead to arrests.
Johnson said 717 crime guns were seized by police last year and almost 5,000 firearms charges laid. Most of the illegal firearms come from the U.S.
The Deputy Chief told the board there were a total of 461 shootings and firearm discharges last year.
“We are taking a whole-of-service approach that includes our specialized units working with divisions to get the guns and the criminals who use them off our streets,” he said.
The 35-year officer said the force has kicked off Project Dodger to target gun-slinging tow truck drivers. The new initiative will address the rise in criminality and violence linked to the tow truck industry.
Police said last year there were 63 firearm discharge and shooting incidents linked to tow truck-related disputes, accounting for almost 13 per cent of all shootings in Toronto.
There were about 85 homicides last year and a more than one shooting a day in this City.
So far this year the tow truck gunplay incidents have escalated further, representing 70 per cent of the city’s shooting incidents to date.
Officers are breathing easier now that an impending ceasefire has been announced in the Middle East.
Johnson said the war led to ongoing concerns about the rise in reported hate crimes.
Since the attack began in October 2023 there have been 197 arrests and 523 charges in relation to hate crimes by police during protests and other events.
One incident occurred on New Year’s Eve when a smoke canister was discharged by two protestors at Union Station that caused concerns.